The Raiders National League team management are sure that the fans would like to join us in offering our thanks to Matt Gomercic and Alex Roberts for a fantastic season just gone.
Matt and Alex both joined us as answers to problems, and they worked out really rather well!
After the intended Canadian, Ryan Shaw, arrived but returned home before a game was played Matt was rapidly recruited . That turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Matt quickly settled, endeared himself to the Sapphire and travelling crowds and reminded us all of what we had been missing with the absence of energetic Canadian hockey players in the squad over the previous decade.
Matt’s influence and work rate even dragged a best-ever senior points total from his line mate the ever reliable Aaron Connolly. Matt’s points production of over 70 for the season made him comfortably and deservedly the team’s top scorer and recipient of fans player, players player and forward of the year awards.
Alex moved over from Bristol at a time when injuries and availability were threatening to turn Raiders into a one “import” team. He soon settled into the Raiders rythym and line combinations and treated us to a number of show-reel stick handling goals to balance those from his booming slapshot, and hyper accurate wrist shots, but most memorably the game winning goal as Raiders snuck past Sheffield in the Coventry semi-finals.
Alex’s points and goals per game ratio was only bettered by Adam Laishram.
Gents, it was a pleasure and thank you for your significant part in one of Raiders’ best seasons.
Good luck to Matt with the studies back home and good luck to Alex with your future hockey! Both decent guys on and off the ice and we really hope you enjoyed your time with us as much as we did.
