- The Halifax Raiders announced the signing of defenceman Patriks Porzingis on Wednesday. Porzingis, of Liepaja Latvia, is the younger brother of the 2015 #4 overall selection by the New York Knicks in the NBA.

Patriks is 19 years old and is playing his first full season across seas. "I have more opportunity [in Canada] than back home," said Porzingis. "It was [an] easy move for me."

"Patriks Porzingis is a two-way, all-around defenseman with very strong skating ability. The big body moves like a much smaller one and with a fluid, effortless stride. He can log a lot of ice time and never break down with injuries. Unfortunately, Porzingis never has played a physical or aggressive game, despite having the size to potentially dominate in that area." (Scouting report courtesy of Eastern European Elite Ice Hockey Scouting)

Raiders GM, vbottasnoods, announced the terms of the contract as 1-year, $2 million.

While he was not selected in the SHL Draft, Porzingis' resilient work-ethic will aid him as he continues to develop his young career.