Joey Pierce, a 23‑year‑old forward from Ely, Minnesota, has agreed to a professional contract with the Fife Flyers, a club competing in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
Pierce wraps up a collegiate career at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he appeared in 136 games, earned a captaincy for the 2025‑26 season and was recognized as a defensive stalwart and locker‑room leader.
The Flyers, based in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, compete in the top‑tier British league and have a storied history in the sport. Their recent signing marks a strategic move to bolster the roster ahead of the upcoming season.
Before reaching the Elite Ice Hockey League, Pierce honed his skills in the United States junior ranks, spending time with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL and the Minnesota Wilderness of the NAHL, and he was a finalist for the prestigious Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award.
Growing up on the shores of Lake Superior, Pierce began his youth hockey development in Ely before moving to Hermantown in 2017, where he contributed to two state‑tournament‑winning teams.
A Transatlantic Leap
The move abroad represents more than a career step; it is a cultural shift for a player who has spent his entire life in the Upper Midwest.
Coaches at the Fife Flyers praised Pierce’s work ethic and defensive acumen, noting that his leadership experience should translate well to the European style of play.
Pierce’s signing underscores the growing appeal of Scottish hockey to North American talent, and fans in both regions are eager to see how the Ely native will adapt to the new challenge.