Hockey: NHL has hollow look without Commonwealth stars

The absence of star player Blair Hopping (among others) will make this year's leagues the most even yet. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Around 175 players new to senior representative hockey will line up in the NHL which starts with a double round-robin this weekend.

Many see this as an opportunity to expose players new to the sport at highest domestic level and produce back-up for the Black Sticks.

But the national competition, bereft of current internationals - none of the 32 Commonwealth Games-bound squad members will turn out - has a hollow look about it.

Hockey New Zealand, aware of that, and juggling to fit their domestic showpiece around an increasingly busy international programme, are again considering their options. A switch to a July NHL next year is a possibility.

The absence of star players, including Ryan Archibald and Blair Hopping, who were unavailable for the Commonwealth Games and the NHL, promises to make this year's leagues the most even yet.

Defending men's champions North Harbour, coached by former international Shaun Barnett, with Aiden Hill as his assistant, and again captained by stalwart Simon Brill, have resisted the need to look offshore for guest players.

But they have Ben Collier and Sam Bartholomew from the World Cup team who played in New Delhi earlier in the year.

Midlands, led by 200-plus international Darren Smith as coach, have the country's second-best goalkeeper, Steve Graham, in their ranks after he was left out of the Commonwealth Games squad. Midlands' clash with North Harbour in Hamilton this afternoon could be an early indicator of respective semifinal chances.

The game at Lloyd Elsmore Park between Auckland (away to Northland today) and Midlands tomorrow also promises to be key, with the Helmut Lala-coached Aucklanders having the drag-flick expertise of Dwayne Rowsell.

Capital, beaten by a goal in last year's final, have some useful players including Scott Falconer and Grant Down and, with fewer newcomers than most, should be contenders.

Central's women face a massive task with 12 newcomers to play under rookie coach Russell Tillman and will need the youngsters to step up if they are to retain the K Cup.

Midlands, under Hymie Gill, have retained much of their 2009 squad and could challenge for a first-time triumph.

After this weekend's opening two rounds, all games will be at North Harbour Hockey Stadium.

League notes
* Defending champions: North Harbour (men); Central (women).

* Most successful: North Harbour (men) four; Wellington (women) three.

* Number of teams: 16 (eight men and women).

* Format: Round-robin (first two rounds this weekend various venues, final five rounds, North Harbour Hockey Stadium September 18-24) followed by play-offs.

* Experimental rules: Green card automatic two-minute suspension; breaking (at a penalty corner) players sent beyond the halfway line (no replacement).