Pontifex has faith in home-grown talents
CAPITAL captain Kyle Pontifex says winning the National Hockey League with a completely homegrown squad would make it extra sweet.
The Wellington side was chasing the services of Australian superstar Jamie Dwyer but when he became unavailable it decided to put away the chequebook and go local. After all, there is no shortage of talent.
Capital enter the tournament as second favourites with five Black Sticks in Phil Burrows, Stephen Jenness, Blair Hilton, Jacob Smith and Alex Shaw.
Pontifex is one of the world’s premier goalkeepers but the 33-yearold is taking time out from the international game after becoming a father in December.
‘‘It does change your perspective and changes your whole life, really,’’ said Pontifex, who is also holding down a day job with ANZ bank. ‘‘I’ll likely make a call after the national league. One of the great things about the Wellington side is we’re totally home-grown. It would make it extra special if we can win.’’
Pontifex nominated defending champions Auckland and last year’s runners-up Southern as the main threats to Capital’s championship claims.
The Capital men and women’s teams open their campaigns against Central in Levin today before hosting Southern in Wellington tomorrow.
Action then shifts to North Harbour from August 17 to 25.
Pontifex said it shaped as one of the strongest NHLs in years, with all the Black Sticks on deck, in addition to a raft of imports.
Most New Zealand stars skipped last year’s competition following the London Olympics.
‘‘Wellington have been there or thereabouts over the years and we really need to cement some dominance,’’ Pontifex said.
‘‘It’s just awesome to have the country’s top players playing in it and a number of the regions have gone out and got some pretty special import players as well. So it’s going to be a very strong league.’’
Capital also boast two national development squad players in Matt L’Huillier and Dane Lett.
Central, who shared the 2011 title with Auckland, have Black Stick Shea McAleese as player-coach.
Nick Wilson and Ben Collier are the other well-known Kiwi names, while Australians Tim Deavin and Joe Reardon have been signed.
Pontifex described tomorrow’s opponents, Southern, as ‘‘stacked’’.
The youthful ‘‘Dogs’’ possess Black Sticks Hugo Inglis, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant, Hamish McGregor and Nick Ross, as well as Aussie imports Eddie Ockenden and Brent Garske.
Meanwhile, the Capital women’s team will try to build on last year’s sixth placing. Their star players are Black Sticks Anita Punt and Aniwaka Roberts, and Dutch imports Carlijn Welten and Else Groen.
Central are captained by New Zealand’s player of the year Kayla Sharland, who is surrounded by fellow Black Sticks Emily Naylor and Michaela Curtis, and Aussie guests Ashlea Fey and Kandice Olivieri.
While a win in Levin may be a tough ask today, Capital will be eyeing up 40-1 longshots Southern as an easy kill tomorrow.