Everyone Active Raiders will pose threat to all says Novak

Blaho Novak promised Everyone Active Raiders will pose a threat to all National League teams next season, after agreeing to return for a fourth campaign.

The Bratislava-born 30-year-old will be back at the Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre, having helped Sean Easton’s side finish sixth last term, before losing to league champions Leeds in the play-off final at Coventry.

Novak, combining playing with junior coaching commitments in Norway, made 44 appearances and scored 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists), including a brace in their semi-final win over defending champions Sheffield.

He also finished with a career-low of just 46 penalty minutes, as he took his Raiders career tallies to 127 points (58 goals, 69 assists) in 138 appearances in a gold and blue jersey.

“Yes I’m very happy to play hockey for Raiders for another season!” he said.

“Last year’s success was a massive achievement for the club and for me too. Every time I look back to the final in Coventry, we were challenging the most dominant and persistent team in the league to the point where they were throwing pucks down our d-zone to get a change of players on ice. 

“But we ended up just one goal short – it’s one that will sit there for some time.

“We all know it’s hard to repeat success such as, but I’m more than confident that we as a club will all do our best to repeat, and even beat the success from last year.

“This league is very competitive, teams with different types of players and budgets, but as everyone could see from last year, in the end it’s all about hard work, dedication, adaptation and unity. 

“I believe the Raiders core has all of these. It will be very tough for any team with any budget to come to Romford next year, that I can promise you now.

“I will be training and playing with the team whenever possible. I might have to skip few games due to my work and travels but I will be around the team for most of the season.

“See you all at the end of summer, have a good one!”

Coach Easton has worked with Blaho for around 16 years, adding: “Blaho was a game-changer for Raiders last season. He plays a smart two-way game. 

“With his commitments in coaching we know he won’t be around all the time but when he is Blaho makes us a better team.

“We know that with the limits on players over 25 we will not be able to dress all those on our squad at the same time. I wanted the team to be deeper this season to cope with the schedule and make sure we can play a high speed game every game, all game.”

News of Novak’s return comes 24 hours after the club confirmed defenceman Sean Barry and forward Ashley Jackson would also be back in Romford.

It leaves head coach Easton with few spaces left to fill on his roster, other than three imports, as they look to keep a settled squad.

George Norcliffe and Zack Milton are the only new arrivals so far having joined from Basingstoke Bison – who will not compete next season due to improvement works at their rink – while Harry Gulliver (MK Lightning) and Tommy Huggett (Invicta Dynamos) have left for pastures new.