Edinburgh Capitals are delighted to announce the signing of import defenceman Patriks Grigors for the 2024-25 SNL campaign.
Patriks, younger brother of Rihards will sign as a 3rd import and train with the team through the season. He will play when called upon if at any time we are an import short on the roster.
Last season Patriks iced in the NIHL 1 for the Billingham Stars and was part of the championship winning side that lifted the NIHL North trophy. In 24 games last term he picked up 4 assists and 58 penalty minutes. Teeside has been home for Patriks the last 3 years having joined the club at the start of the 2021-22 campaign.
Born in Latvia, like his brother Rihards he played his junior hockey in his homeland with Jelgava. In 2017-18 he arrived in Edinburgh and joined the Murrayfield Junior system to play U20s. He would also ice in 3 games for the Capitals SNL team playing alongside a number of the current Caps roster.
Season 2018-19 saw him split his time with U20 hockey and again in the SNL this time with the newly formed Murrayfield Racers. He would play 20 games for the Racers scoring 1 goal, 8 assists and picking up 73 penalty minutes. This was also a fantastic opportunity to play alongside his brother Rihards on the Racers blueline and they went on to win the SNL title. Prior to Covid he iced a season with Dundee Comets in the SNL before a year out of hockey due to the pandemic. Once hockey started back it was off to Billingham to join the Stars.
Patriks will bring a gritty game to the blueline and likes to play physical. He had this to say on signing, “I’m excited to have the opportunity to be part of the Capitals organisation this season. I will be training with the team and when needed I will be ready to jump into the line-up to help the boys out.
I have heard great things about the Capitals fans and I can’t wait to get a chance to play in front of them all throughout the season.
Murrayfield has good memories for me having started my UK career here in Edinburgh and it will be good to be back.”
Head Coach Steven Lynch is happy to have depth once again on the roster if needed. “Patriks approached us saying he was looking to be a bit closer to home this year due to a change in work commitments so obviously we jumped on it straight away. He knows our situation having already signed James Isaacs and his brother Rihards but still wants to be a part of things here in Edinburgh.
The need for a deep bench and cover for injuries throughout the season is vital for us. This applies to import players as well as our home grown talent. He’s a powerful defenceman who likes to play the body which ticks a large box for us but there is also a lot more to his game that sometimes goes unnoticed. Patriks will be available to call upon when required and we welcome him here in Edinburgh.”
It’s only weeks away now to we return to the ice. It’s set to be a great season here at the Lion’s Den.
LET’S GO CAPITALS!
Image: Billingham Stars
