Raiders returnees Ranson and Sylvester relishing challenge

Everyone Active Raiders forward Jacob Ranson is taking inspiration from the NHL’s Florida Panthers as he looks ahead to the 2023-24 National League season.

Ranson and Jake Sylvester are the latest names to agree returns to the Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre, having helped Sean Easton’s improving side finish sixth last season and reach the play-off final in Coventry.

And the 28-year-old feels Raiders can follow a similar path as they seek success next term.

“Watching the NHL play-offs should surely give us plenty of encouragement,” he said.

“The hard-working, hard forechecking teams are the ones proving to be successful. 

“We can take inspiration from teams like Florida when we’re doubted next season against some of big-spending teams.”

Bottom of the table in 2021-22, Raiders improved significantly to earn a higher finish and then upset Peterborough and Sheffield in the play-offs, before losing to regular season champions Leeds.

But Ranson knows they face a tough task to match those feats in an 11-team group that sees Scottish club Solway Sharks replacing Basingstoke Bison, with teams now also able to ice three imports.

“Of course, we are aware it won’t be easy as every team is bolstering up their roster,” said Ranson, who overcame leg and shoulder injuries to play 57 times last season.

“This off-season has seen arguably the most significant amount of roster movement since the inception of the National League, but that will be a new challenge and we must be prepared to give it our all. We will not have the underdogs tag as much this season either.”

Raiders will have Aaron Connolly, Tom Relf, Jack Cooper, Ethan James, Elliott Dewey, Mikey Power, Callum Wells, Tjay Anderson and Marco Pascale all back in gold and blue, along with newcomer George Norcliffe, but have seen Harry Gulliver join MK Lightning.

Easton has a few more spots to fill on his roster, including three import slots, and Ranson – with 264 appearances as a Raider now under his belt – is looking forward to the challenge.

“Sean has done an exceptional job of keeping the key characters who played a pivotal role in our success last season together,” he added.

“With some minor adjustments and the right additions, we can strive for a spot in the final four once again.

“Who wouldn’t want to return to Coventry and give it another shot – don’t you feel like last season left you hungry for more?”

Sylvester, 25, echoed those sentiments after scoring 69 points (32 goals, 37 assists) in 64 games last term.

That took his Raiders career haul to 267 points (140 goals, 127 assists) in 261 appearances and he could find himself in the all-time top 10 scoring list by this time next year.

“Really excited for the new season, we need to be building on a good season just gone,” he said.

“We’re looking to be moving up and personally Coventry is the target again. The feeling of playing in the finals weekend is something I definitely want more of.  

“Our room was really good last year and hopefully we can build that and become stronger as a team.”