Raiders are pleased to announce the signing of 26 year old Great Britain International Zach Sullivan from Elite League Manchester Storm, with a brief interlude for Milton Keynes Lightning in the Autumn Streaming Series. The highly experienced D man has made 378 Elite League appearances and a further 168 English Premier League Appearances.
Surrey born Zach started his ice hockey career in the Invicta junior system before playing for Swindon at Under 16 level and Guildford at Under 18. Zach was selected for the EIHA Conference All Star Team on two occasions and was named MVP at Under 17 level in 2011.
He was selected to represent Great Britain in the Junior World Championships on four occasion, including being selected for both Under 18 and Under 20 teams in 2011/12 season.
Zach made his senior debut for Invicta Dynamo debut in 2011, making 39 ENL appearances scoring one goal and eleven assists. After five appearances the following season he moved to Slough Jets in English Premier League where he made 53 league and play off appearances, scoring seven assists, ending with an EPL Play Off Champion medal.
Zach moved to Basingstoke Bison where in two seasons, he made 115 appearances, scoring one goal and 15 assists and picked up Cup winners and Play Off Champion medals in 2013/14 season.
Zach moved to Braehead Clan in the Elite League for the 2014/15 season playing for the Clan for five seasons, winning four Gardiner Conference titles. In Total Zach made 318 appearances, scoring 3 goals and 35 assists for a total of 38 points.
His career highlight came at the end of the 2017/18 season when he was selected for the Great Britain world championship squad, where he picked up a gold medal as he helped Great Britain win Division 1A and move to the top tier of International Ice Hockey.
Zach spent the summer of 2019 making 16 appearances for Canterbury Red Devils in New Zealand Ice Hockey League before moving to Elite League Manchester Storm, where he made 60 appearances, scoring three goals and three assists in the curtailed season.
Zach is yet another player that Raiders coach Sean Easton has worked with before and is pleased to see his experience brought in for the Spring Cup streaming series.
“With the Elite league on hold Zach has kindly agreed to show off his experience in a Raiders shirt. All players are thankful to get a few games in during what has been a very glum 20-21 season and Zach is a very solid and reliable defensive d man who feels the same.
“Zach will take pride in his plus / minus and his first pass. Again I had the pleasure of working with Zach at junior level and its been great to see his success over the years and will be a joy to be able to work with him again.”
Zach is pleased to be reunited with not just Coach Easton as he explained.
“I can’t wait to get back playing, especially with the Raiders with all the guys being so welcoming from day one.
“I have known Aaron and Danny since I was 9 years old and I am thrilled to be offered the chance to play with them both again.
“I’ve known Sean well from my South East Conference days and also guesting in tournaments for his junior teams. I’m excited to be playing for Sean again and hopefully can contribute to our success.”
With many other teams in the streaming series strengthening significantly with ex-Elite league British and team GB players, the addition of players of Zach’s calibre and experience will be welcome.
Welcome to Romford Zach.
