Raiders are pleased to announce the signing of highly rated 22 year old D man Edward Knaggs who joins from Milton Keynes Lightning / Bracknell Bees.
Ed is another GB junior international having represented GB in five Junior World Championship teams playing alongside Ethan James, Harry Gulliver, Callum Wells and Glenn Billing.
He made a total of 24 appearances in five tournaments for GB at Under 18 and Under 20 levels, scoring three goals and six assists in helping GB to three bronze medals. He also made two appearances for England Under 19 in the annual challenge game against Scotland.
Ed played his early junior hockey at Milton Keynes before moving on to Bracknell at Under 16 and Under 18 levels. In 86 appearances at these levels, he scored 17 goals and 43 assists for 60 points. He also made more than 20 appearances at Junior Conference, where he represented South West for five consecutive seasons.
Aged 15, Ed made his senior debut for Milton Keynes, making six EPL / Cup appearances for Lightning and 35 appearances for Thunder, scoring five goals and five assists. During the next two seasons he took his total appearances for Milton Keynes Lightning to 122 scoring 12 assists, picking up cup and play off winners medals in 2016/17.
Ed made five Elite League appearances in 2017/8 for Milton Keynes, before moving to Peterborough Phantoms. where he made 49 league, cup ands play off appearances, scoring four goals and 13 assists for 17 points. Returning to Bracknell in 2018 he made a further 92 appearances, scoring seven goals and 53 assists for 60 points. Edward also made four Elite appearances for Coventry Blaze.
In the initial streaming series he guested for Milton Keynes Lightning before agreeing last week to play for the Raiders.
With the injury to Dan Scott benefitting from an extended recuperation break, Raiders management decided quickly that some additional blue line presence was wise, and having that presence with a proven attacking capability is something of a bonus. Ed’s experience at such a young age will be of great value to the Raiders continued cup campaign. Should the series be extended into a mini league in April and May then with the expected return of Dan Scott the addition of Knaggs will mean that Zach Sullivan’s departure “home” to Elite League Manchester will not be felt quite so severely.
In common with all the streaming series players Ed is primarily just glad to be back on ice again after such a long lay off.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Raiders for the Spring Cup. I cant wait to get back on the ice and contribute to winning some hockey games.
“Sean and the Raiders have given me an opportunity to play again in these tough times and I am really grateful for that chance.”
Sean Easton was keen to fill the large void left by Dan Scott’s injury.
“It’s a shame Scotty picked up an injury so early on. He is gutted and just wants to play.
“Ed coming in will not just give another player an opportunity to play the game we have all missed so badly but gives us a boost and enables us to roll 4 lines in a busy 3 game schedule.
“Ed is a smooth skating Dman, confident on the puck and carries a calm head on his shoulders.
“Ed is also a good guy in the changing room and fits well with what we are trying to achieve.”
Welcome to the Raiders Ed
