Everyone Active Raiders head coach Sean Easton wants to see more progress from his side in the National League this season.

Raiders start the 2023-24 campaign this weekend with a trip to MK Lightning on Saturday, followed by a date with newcomers Solway Sharks at Romford's Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre on Sunday (5.15pm).

And Easton is looking for further improvement from his squad, having made a few alterations in the off-season.

Raiders finished the regular season in sixth place last season, then upset Peterborough in the play-offs to reach the Coventry finals weekend.

But after dethroning defending champions Sheffield in the semi-final, they were edged out by the odd goal in nine by league champions Leeds.

"I feel this is going to be a tight league this year, plenty of one-goal games and an unpredictable season of results," he said.

"Raiders want to progress even more and build off last season, finishing above our sixth position.

"With the play-off groups being 1,4,6,8 and 2,3,5,7 we want to be in the first group to find our way into the Coventry finals again.

"We feel as a team we are deeper going forward, have bodies to cover injuries and bans through the year and it will keep everyone fresher."

Raiders have signed Canadian forwards Adam Laishram - who had a brief spell in gold and blue last season - and Nick Leyer to replace Matt Gomercic and Alex Roberts, with Leyer netting a hat-trick in a 3-2 pre-season win at Peterborough.

Defenceman Zack Bennett is due to arrive in the UK in the near future with teams now allowed three non-British trained players on their roster, while Zack Milton and George Norcliffe have joined from Basingstoke, who will not ice this season.

Tjay Anderson and Marco Pascale have stepped up full-time after impressing when given the chance last time around, while Owen Dell has joined on a two-way deal from Invicta and youngsters Brynley Capps and Joe Tomalin are on two-way deals with Jason Buckman's Romford Buccaneers.

Captain Aaron Connolly said: "I think it's been a great summer for us as we continue to build on a very strong core with some exceptional players.

"With the sad demise of the Bison we picked up, what I believe, were their best two players in Milton and Norcliffe.

"Import-wise we brought back Laishram who needs no introduction to Raiders fans, along with Nick and Zack.

"Zack is yet to land in the UK but Nick got off to a flying start scoring a hat-trick against the Phantoms.

"All in all I was very pleased with our first weekend. We blew off some cobwebs, started to gel as a team and got the results."

As for what Raiders can expect from their first weekend of league action, Easton sees an opportunity for a strong start.

"MK have built a new team and it will take them time to find their grove so playing them first is beneficial," he added.

"They will be fast and skilful on their big ice, so we need to stay disciplined in our systems to win a game.

"Solway are a bit of an unknown, our first home game against a new team.

"They will be a hard-working, gritty team like any other Scottish team. Their top two lines will be strong. We need to use our experience and jump on them quick."

*Raiders retained the Everyone Active Cup with a 7-4 aggregate success over Bees IHC at the weekend.

Saturday's game in Slough ended in a 2-2 draw, with all four goals coming in the middle period.

Nick Leyer opened the scoring after just 19 seconds, with Jacob Ranson's shorthanded goal doubling their lead six minutes later.

But Adam Rosbottom managed to beat Brad Windebank just past the midway mark and Dominic Gabaj squared matters.

A minutes applause was held for Raiders supporter Gary 'Pieman' King before Sunday's return at the Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre, after his passing earlier in the week.

Vanya Antonov put the visitors ahead inside five minutes, but Ranson levelled soon after and Aaron Connolly's powerplay goal gave Raiders a 2-1 lead at the first interval.

Laishram netted a quickfire double early in the second period, but Harry Harcup hit back before the break to keep Bees interested.

Brandon Ayliffe made it 5-2, though, in the 46th minute to ensure Raiders kept their hands on the trophy.

Everyone Active Raiders 2023-24

Goalies: 32.Brad Windebank; 39.Ethan James.

Defence: 3.Elliott Dewey, 11.Thomas Relf, 14.Jack Cooper, 18.Marco Pascale, 21.Callum Wells, 55.Sean Barry.

Forwards: 5.Joe Tomalin, 10.Brandon Ayliffe, 12.Mikey Power, 19.George Norcliffe, 24.Zack Milton, 28.Nick Leyer, 29.Jake Sylvester, 34.Owen Dell, 48.Adam Laishram, 57.Ashley Jackson, 63.Aaron Connolly, 88.Brynley Capps, 89.Blaho Novak, 95.Jacob Ranson, 98.Tjay Anderson.

Head coach: Sean Easton.