ROMFORD, UK – Romford Raiders have announced the signings of Adam Smith, Grant Baxter and Tom Davis for the upcoming season.
Adam ‘AJ’ Smith and Grant Baxter both join the Raiders from reigning ENL South Division One champions Invicta Dynamos. 23 year-old Smith comes from Romford, but progressed through the Invicta youth ranks, making his debut for the Dynamos in the 02/03 season. He has put up over a point-per-game in his time with the Mos, including 30 points (11+19) in 30 games last season.
33 year-old Baxter has a lot of experience at ENL level with the Dynamos as well, and is an excellent utility player, capable of playing as a forward or
AJ Smith (Photo David Trevallion)
A Raiders spokesman said: “AJ and Grant have both logged more than 250 games for the Dynamos so it can’t have been an easy decision for them to come to Romford, but the lure of a fresh challenge is often the spark a player needs. Grant is a versatile, whole-hearted type who will play D for us but chip in with a few points too. We also know that, with nearly 1000 PIMs, he’s ready to stick up for his team mates when necessary.
“AJ has been a consistent scorer for Invicta and wasn’t far off the 400 point mark by the end of last season. Clearly they will bring loads of experience at this level and in our debut campaign in ENL hockey that will be important,” he continued.
Tom Davis is a young player who signed for Romford last season, before moving back to Peterborough after finding his opportunities limited at Rom Valley Way. He then moved again to Milton Keynes Thunder in December, where he enjoyed an excellent second-half to the season. He grabbed 17 points (8+9) in 17 games as the Thunder finished eighth in ENL South One,
Grant Baxter (Photo David Trevallion)
The Romford spokesman said: “Tom Davis joined at the start of last season when, for a while at least, we had a very long bench so his ice time was restricted as a result. He moved on to the Phantoms and when we played them later in the season we saw exactly why Jesse Hammill thought so much of him. This is a big season for Tom and we’re delighted he’s going to spend it as a Raider.
“They say a team is made up of a variety of talents and in Grant, AJ and Tom we have three players who will all bring something to the table. They’re all most welcome at Rom Valley Way and we’re very happy to have them in the Gold and Blue.
“Danny is less than half way through his roster so there are plenty of places yet to fill and it shouldn’t be too long before we’re able to announce some more names,” he concluded.
Contact the author dave.lambert@prohockeynews.com
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