Harte to play in India?

With the second season of the official Indian professional league, the HIL, set to get under way in a couple of months, it looks like Kampong and Ireland goalkeeping star David Harte could be taking part. Hart is part of the shortlist draw potentially on his way over there, which runs a lot like the American drafting system for upcoming talent (i.e. NHL, MLS etc.). His Hoofdklasse side would be on winter break with the indoor season underway, and much like Cortes did last season at Den Bosch, would be back in time to wrap up the Dutch season, Euro Hockey League (in which he is also competing in, with his Dutch team mates, having helped them break into the competition last season) and onto international fixtures over the summer. George Pinner is another name that has been bandied about concerning the HIL, but haven't heard any other names as of yet.

You can read more about Harte and the Indian league here via Irish reporting here:

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/david-harte-on-shortlist-for-india-hockey-league-1.1572471

Stockmann using Obo arm guards?

Having been able to find some better photos of Holland's current number one, Jaap Stockmann, in action, I think it's safe to say that he is also now wearing Obo arm pads. His compatriot, he was the travelling reserve for the London Olympics, Pirmin Blaak has worn them (on both arms versus the "traditional" no arms/only right padded) since he took over for Rotterdam as first choice there. Stockmann previously wore just an elbow pad on his right, but it appears he's made the switch to covering more of the bare arm to protect when making a barrier block with the body (sliding, "logging" etc.). Not sure how long ago this was, so probably not the most up-to-date gear sighting! But still interesting to make a note of considering the more general slimmed down equipment approach in Holland and Belgium and Spain as well.

Here you can see him warming up with both arms (like Scanlon at HWHC does, although he removes both arm pads for games!) before removing the left arm to play, whilst in the HIL league in India last year:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92093651@N07/8401620920/

And here, wearing both arms for a shoot at a goalie clinic, akin to Blaak's set-up:

http://oranjekeepers.nl/?attachment_id=428#main

Versus in his days wearing only a right elbow pad, it's interesting to make note of the switch and also in relation to the more pro-active, reaction, athletic style seen in Holland versus the blocking, percentage based approach of other countries, like Australia, potentially.

You can also see him here in his days playing for Holland U21's at the 2005 Junior World Cup, wearing Obo's prototype (their now current elbow design) at the time:

http://www.raboworldcupjunior.com/Fotos+dag+3+1.aspx.htm

 And here for Bloemendaal:

http://koensuyk.fotofiler.net/beeldbank/start/koensuyk/HOCKEY/Competitie%20heren/2012-2013%20Bl%27daal-OZ?view=preview&fuid=Jaap%20Stockmann%203.jpg

With Obo arm pads proving popular in Germany as well, with Reuss using them and other Bundesliga goalkeepers too, it's interesting to consider current trends in the modern game in terms of thinking about more/less padding for the goalkeeper. Germany seems to mix it up with a more blocking style, but Holland have always seemed to encourage active hands and a reactive mindset with their save making, so on a wider level, interesting to think about these things that might seem trifle, but have a big impact on the way a goalkeeper plays. Not sure if trends will swing back to a more protective style or a mash up hybrid of blocking and actively responding to shots, but interesting to consider either way!

Toby Walker re-signs with Exeter university

Not much going on transfer wise for goalies in the English national league right now, but Exeter have resigned Toby Walker. A product of Sevenoaks' juniors, having played in some cup games for the side when they were in the East conference of the national league, he was registered with the university men's side in 2011 and with Chris Rea and Andrew Miller having moved on, gives the team some goalkeeping options and depth behind youngster Todd Dudley. This will be useful for rotation for BUCS games as well as having that option in the slight case of injury etc.

http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/fl/ehl/playermovement_m.asp?l=1

Dixon taking over at Cheltenham?

With the Gloucestershire side retaining their place in the Western conference after their relegation battle last season, it seems as if they are stocking goalkeeper depth. Matt Dixon started against Havant recently and offers them more goalie options for games. Another goalkeeper sponsored by Monarch, it is his national league debut and first season as far as I know. Giles Rooke is obviously starting age, but a good age for any goalkeeper, so I'm not sure where things are heading. But even so, it's good for competition and to ensure the team has depth in case of injury, as occured last season.

link to match report

 

Photo pinched from Havant hockey site (and therefore their copyright!).

Loughborough missing Gibson

With the new national league season getting under way in England, it seems one team is not doing as well as perhaps they should be, is Loughborough. That could be due to their star starter Harry Gibson, who is on international duty, being away and therefore the same quality of saves not being made on a regular basis. It's quite a step up to this level, with the psychological requirements of mental strength and concentration levels as well as the ability to make those top level saves that others may not be able to reach or get to, and Gibson's deputy doesn't have the same experience levels as he does. The side have lost both games 4-1 in his absence (as far as I know!). Gibson being away with his junior side for internationals means that Loughborough are at risk without the same quality of goalkeeper and a change for the back four to get used to as well.

Gibson himself did go through the grindstone as expected of any young goalie getting a taste of this level, and will be away again with the build up to the Junior World Cup, so hopefully they will be able to defend more concisely as a team in his absence to ensure they get started with getting the points they need for their campaign this season.

Tommy Alexander signs with HWHC

Breaking news! Having missed it with all the writing I've been doing as the main focus, I've managed to only just spot the transfer of Tommy to Hampstead from Indian Gym (which I somehow missed as wasn't checking that section of the England hockey website, but it was on Sunday, so not too late). Which obviously messes up the write-up I was attempting about Scanlon and goalie projections for Hampstead (so I will have to rework it as such then!). This is a great opportunity though for all concerned though, in seriousness. It offers great competition for Hampstead as Tommy performed well to turn the sinking ship around at Indian Gym in his first starting opportunity (having been second choice at Surbiton for nearly four seasons) with a string of clean sheet performances, and will put him in greater for spots in Scotland given that he and Jamie Cachia are the only Scots guard (well, Scottish goalie, and the goalies guard the last line of defence, failed metaphor...) in the premier league, with competition Carr and Dick in the national conference East.

Sheridan Leech is still around, having benched for Ian the season gone and will probably play 2s as things go forward, although it's anybody's guess how management will organise the situation as it is. So this leaves Hampstead as the strongest team goalie wise in the entire league. Both will push each other, drawing the best out of each other and thus do well by the team, as neither will want to bench; 'Scanners' after being first choice for so long, and Tommy after pushing himself to get this far and being as hard working and ambitious as he is. It will be interesting to review how things turn out as the season progresses, but for now it's looking good for the London based side (any other team not being in London proper!).