Raitums happy to be at Stingrays

By [cwigham]

INSTANT hero Marty Raitums admits he was a bundle of nerves ahead of his Excel Hull Stingrays' debut.

The 24-year-old Latvian keeper experienced a whirlwind few days, signing on Tuesday, arriving Thursday, training Friday and playing Saturday and Sunday.

And he produced the goods, back-stopping Stingrays to a 3-2 win over Belfast and then a 5-2 victory against reigning champions, Sheffield Steelers.

The victory over Steelers was the first-ever league win by Hull's senior team in Sheffield.

It was the first senior victory of any type on South Yorkshire ice since Humberside Hawks lifted the Yorkshire and Humberside Cup in 1994.

He looked a step up from his predecessor, Tommy Sandahl, who carried the can last week for Stingrays' bottom-of-the-table position.

He exuded an air of authority and calmness in goal, but Raitums revealed that was deceptive.

"I was busy at the start of the game, but I felt nervous," said Raitums.

"After I made a big save then I felt very comfortable and I felt good.

"I had a lot of shots, the speed was very good, I was pleased.

"But the win for the team was what was most important."

Raitums has spent the majority of his career in the Latvian and Belarus leagues, playing for HK Riga 2000, before joining ASK Ogre last season.

However, when another move fell through, the former Latvian national keeper this season ended up playing in the Latvian second division.

"My last club last season was Ogre, but I have been playing in the Latvian League II," he explained.

"But I have been looking for a team in another country, as I didn't want to play in that league, I wanted to go somewhere else.

"When Sylvain Cloutier called I was ready to play somewhere else and I just wanted to play, so I am happy to be here."

Although he is no longer on the radar of the Latvian coaches every week, Raitums has not given up hope of continuing his appearances for his home country.

But whether he turns his stay in Britain into more than one season has yet to be decided.

"I didn't need to stay in Latvia if I want to play in the national team," said Raitums.

"I don't know about next season, I just want to get to the end of this one and then we will see."

Raitums' arrival is too late to be considered for the annual Elite League All-Stars game which takes place at iceSheffield tomorrow (7.30pm face-off).

Stingrays' duo Adam Knight and Konstantin Kalmikov will ice for the Overseas' All-Stars, while team-mates Lee Esders and Lee Mitchell will appear for the British All-Stars.