ROMFORD, UK – Romford Raiders have at last added a fourth import with the signing of Lithuanian Darius Pliskauskas to boost their offense.
The 29 year-old forward started the season with Elite League side Edinburgh Capitals, putting up nine points (4g, 5a) in 17 games, but was sidelined with a broken finger. However he is now back to full fitness, and was released by the Caps allowing him to join the Raiders.
The left-shooting centre joined his new teammates for training last night, and should be in the line-up this weekend to face Peterborough Phantoms and Basingstoke Bison.
A Romford spokesman said: “When we heard Darius might be available we wasted no time in making contact. He missed some matches for Edinburgh recently after sustaining a broken finger but there certainly seemed to be no visible signs of his injury when he trained last night.”
Pliskauskas has experience in several good European leagues, particularly in Russia, Belarus and Latvia with Yantar Seversk, Neman Grodno and Metalurgs Liepaja. He also enjoyed a previous spell with Edinburgh in the 06/07 season, when he grabbed 17 points (9g, 8a) in 22 games.
Pliskauskas looking to set league alight
The Raiders spokesman added: “It seems he became surplus to requirements during his absence at the Caps and although we hope their loss is our gain, we’d like to thank the Edinburgh organisation for their help with this move.”
A statement on the Capitals website from Coach Doug Christiansen said: “Darius worked very hard to get back in the line-up and we wish him the best in the future. He was a great team mate and is a great hockey player.”
Meanwhile, Romford are still looking for a replacement for inspirational Coach Jesse Hammill, after it was announced last week that he was returning to Canada to take up a non-hockey job offer. Several names have been mentioned by fans, among them former Romford Coach Erskine Douglas, former Peterborough coach Kevin King and ex-Raiders favourite Ben Pitchley.
The Raiders spokesman said of the search: “We can say that the search for a successor to Jesse Hammill is gathering pace. Although we didn’t formally advertise the vacancy we have had more applications that we ever expected but, while that threw us a bit, the interviews have already started. Jesse will be on the bench again this weekend but we should be in position to announce some changes soon after that.”
Contact the author dave.lambert@prohockeynews.com
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