Holwell and Makela strengthen Flyers' blue line

Aleksi Makela (Photo: Kärpät Oulu)

Defensemen Adam Holwell and Aleksi Mäkelä are the latest arrivals to Fife Flyers' blue line ahead of the 2023/24 season.

After confirming the return of Swede Jonas Emmerdahl for his third season, the Kirkcaldy-based team added Holwell (Canadian) and Mäkelä (Finnish) to start off this week.

26-year-old Holwell comes into Fife after spending four seasons in USports and ending this past season with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL. 

"Adam is a skilled, Memorial Cup-winning defenseman who logged a lot of ice time for St. Francis Xavier Xmen. Adam can be utilised in all situations, and I am very pleased to add him to our defenseman unit" commended Head Coach Tom Coolen.

Mäkelä, 30, played 45 games last season for Ritten in the Alps League. He previously played six straight full campaigns in the Finnish Liiga and has experience of three Champions Hockey League tournaments.

"Aleksi brings 250 games from the highest Finnish level. He was recently an Liiga champion with powerhouse Kärpät," added Coolen. "I see Alexsi bringing his experience as a steady defender to our team, helping us in the defensive and transitional aspects of the game."