He’s coming home, he’s coming home…..

July 8, 2021

The Raiders are pleased to announce another addition to the squad for the 21-22 season as we offer a warm welcome back to the returning 22 year old speedster Rio Grinell-Parke some five years after he moved to Milton Keynes. Always a threat when we have faced him in recent seasons he makes good use of his turn of speed and will fit in well with similarly equipped team members.

In junior hockey Rio made three under-age appearances for the Romford Hornets Under 16 National champions in 2012, before moving to Guilford for a season and then on to Bracknell for his final two junior season, making 50 appearances, scoring 54 goals and 35 assists for 89 points. Rio was selected by South East / South West for Conference in eight consecutive years, being selected to the All Star team as an Under 11.

Returning whilst the Raiders played at Lee Valley, Rio made 43 appearances in all competitions for Raiders scoring 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points (ranked 135th in all time Raiders scoring). Rio’s next stop was Bracknell Bees where he made 51 EPL appearances for Bees in season 2016/17, scoring four goals and three assists.

Rio was also selected for Great Britain Under 18 World Junior Championship team, making five appearances and scoring one goal in a squad that also contained Ethan James. Rio also appeared for England Under 19 in the annual game v Scotland in 2017 alongside Raider Brandon Ayliffe.

Rio returns to Raiders from Milton Keynes Lightning where he made two Elite League appearances in 2017-18 before making 45 appearances scoring 13 goals and 16 assists in NIHL National division in 2018/19. Prior to icing for Lightning, Rio made 70 appearances for MK Thunder in NIHL South 1 scoring 20 goals and 18 assists for 38 points.

Rio considers himself a Romford players as he explained:-

Ollie Baldock looks forward to welcoming Rio

“It’s great to be back playing for Romford again. Romford isn’t an unfamiliar environment to me. I played the majority of my Juniors and my first senior season here and consider Romford my home club.

“I’ve played with the majority of people on the team in the past and against a few of the others so it’s great to be back and I’m really looking forward to playing with a great bunch of lads, making a good impression on the fans and having a good strong season.”

Sean Easton is welcoming Rio as a perfect fit for the team developing in Romford:-

“Rio’s style of play is what we are all about. Raiders are being built to be youthful, speedy and skilful and Rio possesses the above in abundance.

“His direct offence game will cause issues for defences. He has great quick release shot and is happy to play in the tough areas with a real “up-tempo” attitude.

“I cant wait to work with Rio and I know he is going to enjoy the responsibilities given to him.”

Welcome back to Gold and Blue RG-P and for the song writers: His name is Rio and we’re dancing in the stands……

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