Everyone Active Raiders announce signing of new Canadian

The National League club had been waiting for defenceman Zack Bennett to arrive in the UK, having agreed a deal with him some time ago.

And they have decided for a change of approach, with left wing Macrae bringing size and strength to their attacking unit.

The 25-year-old from Dundas, Ontario has been playing in the Southern Professional Hockey League for Evansville Thunderbolts and is set to make his Raiders debut in their double-header with Sheffield Steeldogs this weekend.

A statement on the club website said: “His strong shot and mobility are already noted amongst those he has trained with.

“Raiders would like to thank those involved for the rapid turnaround in his paperwork that sees him icing for the Raiders in both games this weekend.”

Macrae played major junior hockey for Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Moncton Wildcats in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), playing alongside current NHL stars such as Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat, Taylor Raddysh, Travis Dermott, Erik Cernak and Jakob Pelletier.

And he also had spells with the Cambridge Winter Hawks and London Nationals, in the Great Ontario Junior Hockey League, scoring a total of 60 goals and 92 assists in 169 appearances, before playing 43 games for the University of Western Ontario, tallying five goals and five assists.

He joined Evansville for the play-offs at the end of last season and will line up alongside fellow Canadians Adam Laishram and Nick Leyer on the Raiders roster.