Everyone Active Raiders have announced the signing of experienced Elite League defenceman Zach Sullivan ahead of the 2021 NIHL National League Spring Cup.

The 26-year-old, who has been training with the squad in recent weeks, has been tied down for the six-week series of games to bolster head coach Sean Easton’s options.

Sullivan spent last season with Manchester Storm but is now excited to return to the ice. The Elite has decided to not run until September and completely miss out on this season.

“I can’t wait to get back playing hockey, especially with the Raiders - all the guys have been really welcoming from day one,” Sullivan admitted.

“I’ve known Aaron (Connolly) and Dan (Scott) since I was nine years old, and I am thrilled to be offered the chance to play with them both again.”

He added: “I know Sean (Easton) well from my South East Conference days, and guesting in tournaments for his junior teams at Chelmsford.

“I’m excited to play for Sean again, and hopefully I can contribute to our success.”

Sullivan spent five seasons with Braehead, now Glasgow Clan, prior to making the switch over to Manchester.

His time in the Elite League followed two seasons playing for Basingstoke Bison in the now defunct English Premier League.

He made his senior debut for the Invicta Dynamos where he played a handful of games over the span of two seasons while also icing for Slough Jets in the EPL.

The defenceman has iced for Great Britain under-18s and under-20s and the senior outfit five times during a World Championships in the 2017/18 season.

Raiders will be coming up against the likes of Swindon Wildcats, Sheffield Steeldogs, Telford Tigers and Bracknell Bees in a 12-game series across six weeks.

“We’ve been training hard as a group for a number of weeks now and we are all extremely thankful to be playing any kind of hockey and we’re excited to show what we can do in the Spring Cup.”

The Romford-based outfit are due to take to the ice on Saturday, February 20 for their first game of the cup competition.