Black Sticks mostly absent from league

Don’t expect to see a bunch of Black Sticks players running around when the National Hockey League gets underway in Auckland tomorrow.

Due to the Olympics, which saw the men’s and women’s Black Sticks bow out in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively, players were given the choice whether or not they would play in this year’s league.

The majority of them have opted for a break, while some have also taken up overseas contracts.

Only Auckland’s and North Harbour’s men’s and women’s teams are in action this weekend, while the other five teams will start their campaigns next weekend.

But North Harbour, which finished sixth in last year’s league, will at least have Black Sticks striker James Coughlan available for their men’s opener against Auckland tomorrow.

He will add plenty of firepower up front for his team, which also includes national squad members George Muir and Cory Bennett.

Auckland won’t have Rio Black Sticks Ryan Archibald, Simon Child, Arun Panchia or Devon Manchester, or national squad member Marcus Child, at their service this season, meaning an improvement from last year’s third-placed finish will be a steep challenge.

Men’s defending champions Capital, which beat the Southern Dogs on penalties in last year’s final, only has one of their four Black Sticks - striker Stephen Jenness returning to play in the league.

Midlands won’t have midfielder Nic Woods, defender Bradley Shaw won’t play for Canterbury, and Central will be without midfielder Shea Mcaleese and striker Nick Wilson.

However, Central will have 18-year-old midfielder Hayden Phillips, who led Central to the under-18 title a year ago and was part of the 16-strong Rio squad.

It’s a similar story in the women’s draw, with only two players from the 16-strong team that finished fourth in Rio listed to play in this year’s league.

Midlands goalkeeper Sally Rutherford and Auckland defender Liz Thompson are set to play.

The first two rounds will see teams play at various venues across the country, before action moves to Whangarei for a tournament week between September 10-17.

All finals will be played on September 17, with the men’s decider set for 1pm and the women’s at 3pm.