FRESNO FALCONS SIGN VETERAN DEFENSEMAN JOEY RAATS

Former Arizona State standout and ECHL defenseman brings professional experience, leadership and resilience to Fresno's blue line.

FRESNO, Calif. (November 9, 2026) — The Fresno Falcons have announced the signing of veteran defenseman Joey Raats, adding a proven professional presence to their defensive corps as the club continues its inaugural Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) season.

The 31-year-old, right-shot defenseman from Las Vegas, Nevada, brings experience from the ECHL, France's Ligue Magnus, the United Kingdom's Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), and NCAA Division I hockey at Arizona State University.

Standing 6-foot and weighing 185 pounds, Raats has developed a reputation as a dependable two-way defenseman with strong skating ability, effective puck movement, and a willingness to compete in difficult areas of the ice.

For Fresno, the addition provides another experienced option on the blue line as the Falcons continue building on their early-season success.

ECHL Experience and a Return to Professional Hockey

Raats most recently appeared in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings during the 2024–25 season, recording one goal and one assist for two points in 14 games while finishing with a plus-two rating.

His return to the ECHL carried significance well beyond the scoresheet.

After spending the 2021–22 season with the Coventry Blaze in England, Raats stepped away from professional hockey for two seasons following a cancer diagnosis. He returned to the professional ranks in September 2024 after signing with Kalamazoo, overcoming a substantial personal challenge to resume his playing career.

His comeback included a memorable milestone when he scored his first goal since returning to professional hockey.

Before his time in Kalamazoo, Raats began his ECHL career with the Utah Grizzlies in 2018–19. He appeared in 38 regular-season games, registering two goals and six assists for eight points.

Across his two ECHL seasons, the defenseman has accumulated 52 regular-season appearances, three goals, seven assists, and 10 points.

An International Hockey Background

Between his ECHL appearances, Raats gained valuable experience competing overseas.

During the 2019–20 season, he played in France's top professional league, Ligue Magnus, splitting the year between the Diables Rouges de Briançon and Rapaces de Gap. He totaled one goal and five assists for six points in 32 games, along with 73 penalty minutes.

Raats later joined the Coventry Blaze for the 2021–22 EIHL season, appearing in 52 regular-season games and registering four assists. He also recorded an assist in two postseason appearances.

His time overseas exposed him to different styles of professional hockey, giving him experience adjusting to new systems, competition, and playing environments.

That versatility could become an asset for a Fresno defensive group navigating the demands of a competitive FPHL schedule.

From Arizona State to the Professional Ranks

Before turning professional, Raats was part of the early foundation of Arizona State University's NCAA Division I hockey program.

Playing three seasons for the Sun Devils from 2015–16 through 2017–18, Raats appeared in 79 games and collected five goals and 23 assists for 28 points.

His most productive collegiate season came in 2015–16, when he recorded two goals and 13 assists for 15 points across 28 games.

Raats also contributed to several memorable moments in Arizona State's developing program, including scoring the game-winning goal against UMass Lowell during the Sun Devils' first shutout victory in program history.

Before his collegiate career, Raats competed for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League (USHL), helping the organization capture the 2015 Clark Cup championship.

He recorded two goals and 13 assists for 15 points in 56 regular-season games during the Stampede's championship campaign.

What Raats Brings to Fresno

For the Falcons, Raats provides more than professional experience.

His right-handed shot, skating ability, and history as a puck-moving defenseman could give Fresno additional flexibility in its defensive pairings.

Having competed in several professional leagues across North America and Europe, Raats arrives with an understanding of different playing styles and the experience needed to adjust to changing situations throughout a season.

His background also brings a valuable example of perseverance to a Falcons organization establishing its identity during its first season back in professional hockey.

With a veteran presence joining the defensive corps, Fresno continues strengthening its roster as it pursues success in the FPHL's competitive West Coast landscape.

From his collegiate years at Arizona State to professional stops in Utah, France, England, and Kalamazoo, Raats has built a career shaped by determination, adaptability, and commitment to the game.

Now, that journey brings him to California's Central Valley.

Welcome to Fresno, Joey Raats.

#TalonsUp