Former Romford junior 25 year old Jake Sylvester signs up for a seventh Raiders season off the back of his most successful senior season in which he has been an ever present Ironman and has scored more goals, more assists and more points than in any previous Raiders season.
Last season, Jake has made all 64 appearances, scoring 32 goals and 37 assists for 69 points and third place in scoring; and is the third time he has exceeded 50 points in a season for the Raiders.
“I’m really excited for the new season; we need to be building on a good season gone.”
” We are looking to be moving up and personally Coventry is the target again; the feeling of playing in the finals weekend is something I definitely want more of.
“Our room was really good last year and hopefully we can build that and become stronger as a team.”
Sean Easton has coached Jake for all of his senior years and obviously knows what he brings to a team.
“Jake shows year on year why he is high priority to retain. A natural goal scorer and a threat when he’s got a bit of space. Jake has a great shot release and a shot first mentality. Scores big goals at great times for the Raiders over the years.”
Welcome back #29 – Jake Sylvester
And there is more!
And it is also a warm Raiders welcome back to 27 year old Jacob Ranson who returns for his eighth season as a Raider (the fifth in his current third spell in the Gold and Blue).
Last season, Jacob’s all action style particularly on penalty kill saw him score 4 goals and 7 assists for 11 points in 57 appearances for Raiders. But scoring is not the main part of his game, however welcome the points are, and he irritates the hell out of the opposition, especially those he steals the puck from and generally destroys their power play breakout formation.
In total, Jacob has made 264 appearances for Raiders in all competitions ( 17th place in Raiders all time appearances ranking) including 213 league appearances (14th place in all time league appearances).
Jacob is clearly still on a high from the end of seaosn successes as he exclaimed:-
“Don’t you feel like last season left you hungry for more? Who wouldn’t want to return to Coventry and give it another shot?
“Sean has done an exceptional job of keeping together the key characters who played a pivotal role in our success last season. With some minor adjustments and the right additions, we can strive for a spot in the final four once again.
“Of course we are aware that it won’t be easy as every team is bolstering up their roster, and this off-season has seen arguably the most significant amount of roster movement since the inception of the National League. But that will be a new challenge and we must be prepared to give it our all. We will not have the underdogs tag as much this season either.”
Sean Easton again emphasises the ‘team player’ that Jacob is known to be.
“JR is the heart beat of the team and plays any role the team requires without hesitation.
“He knows his job and delivers it night in night out. A defensive forward that can shut down teams top lines. With his speed and relentless work rate he is important to our success”
Welcome back for another season #95 Jacob Ranson!
And there is more……
So thats our Thursday night duo announced. But don’t settle down for the weekend just yet. Look out for another exciting announcement tomorrow evening as the Raiders present another exciting signing new to the Gold and Blue.
