National league goalkeepers for this season: profiling the depth and talent

Just as you would get with other mainstream sports with goalies, I want to do a rundown of all the national league goalies and some analytical insight and predictions for their upcoming season's performances (I think a rundown of the league's teams' goalkeeping options - from starters to reserves - would be cool at some stage for the Hoofdklasse or India pro league for instance). You get this with the pro sports, and I want to bring my writing and technical breakdowns up to par with that of this standard, so I'll be giving some insights into the goalkeepers at the national league level in England and take it from there. I'll focus on the men's league first as I know more than that of the ladies' league, and will try to offer some pointers and reflection on the quality of goalkeepers around. I'm not sure I'll know enough about the North conference sadly, but will do my best to give insight!

The plan is to do a write up of the goalkeepers for each team and any notable thoughts or information, and then analyse performances for each goalkeeper (or team), as made possible by Youtube channel highlights (i.e. Galvanised Hockey) as footage becomes available, or from footage I have managed to get from games.

This is the kind of thing I want to set up: http://ministryofglove.wordpress.com/. And if this is what fans expect from football, why not hockey?!

Struggling to tame the Dragonlord...

[Given the abject level of interest in our beloved game/position, I wanted to start adding more depth to the blog, so thought it would be a good place to start with analysis. Features and profiles etc. will hopefully feature as well at some point to give a better coverage of hockey and my favourite position within it (goalkeeping, obviously!).]

'Ketts' in cup final action (source: link, not sure on photographer/copyright)

I couldn't think of a suitable title because Dragonlords are supposed to be tamers of the fiery beasts (that's if you bother indulging in the fantasy world of literature apart from Game of Thrones!), and Dragon slayer wouldn't work as he's rightly called the Dragon (a little disappointed he can't breath fire, but I'm sure he could learn firebreathing sometime!); maybe Lord of the Dragons?!

A lot of ranking of goalies goes on in other sports, so why not hockey? In review of the national league season in England, given the problems with consistency for the goalkeepers playing or struggles with form and technical game, there wasn't much standout talent to comment on. But one goalie for me that has stood out in particular this year at the elite level was David Kettle. There are others I could mention, but he was the most obvious choice. I think that where others have struggled, he has battled his way to the top. Surbiton looked like they were struggling all over the park at times in the first few games of the first half of the season as they maintained a low position in the league, during a time when a lot of teams were bouncing around all over the place, but they kept going and got better and better, led from the back by their impressive goalie performer; the team clicked defensively and with a strong core anchored in this way, were able to rise all the way up to second place.

For a goalie that has just moved to a new team, bringing a cup to Surbiton, taking them to second place in the league for the first time in quite some time (seasons, not decades!!) and winning a place in the Euro Hockey League, well, that ain't half bad me son (I think that's a perochial enough colloquial enough phrasing?!?!), and says it all really. As in goalkeeping, as they say in creative writing, it should speak for itself and Kettle's performances did just that. He has also been getting a few scalps (clean sheets, not connotative of Native American warfare, obviously) on the international arena and will offer Wales a strong depth in between the posts for years to come. Personally I think he should be in a shout for the GB team selection (even though I'm not at all involved in the selection process, this is sports writing and commentary, duh!) and has shown signs of the design to keep up with self improvement to a degree that he could soon outshine any other competition in the goalie ranks at this level of representative hockey.

To me he's the Gareth Bale of the goalie world. But I don't want to talk up the talent, in case it goes to his head, although I'm definitely sure he can push himself on to greater heights though! He's got skill, flair and is a battler, which is what you need from a goalkeeper who is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their team in it and put all on the line for those in front of them. Plus, he's Welsh (so that fits the Bale metaphor!). But I don't think Real Madrid will be signing him this summer, although Egara HC and RHC Barcelona might need new a goalie! So maybe more like Southall who got loads of caps for Wales and was a true talent?! And that's not in a derogatory fashion, because Southall was quite the goalie legend.

David has got a lot of qualities that are the make up of; that make, a true champion. He battles, he's aggressive and strong with positioning and patience, happy to take charge of his D or make a crucial interception, doesn't quit on the play and so on. Along with his  levels of agility and athleticism. Where a lot of elite goalies are struggling with the basics, he is able to do both; iron out the simple stuff and advanced  with strong fundamentals and making those athletic 'miracle saves', whilst also keeping everything on track. Using his modified TK glove with a thumb strap (a system that Tommy Alexander was experimenting with a while ago, which Obo are actually bringing into their new rhp design) system has also shown his intelligence and innovativeness as a goalie. He fought for playing opportunities and showed sure signs of his talent whilst at East Grinstead and when given the chance at Surbiton, took his opportunity and grabbed it with both hands and went for it. And is now able to fully realise it and show off these skills at Surbiton.

Although only a singular example, the following clip is a great example of his overal developed game this season past. The double save is especially and the pick with his stick diving out after setting up high positionally to intercept a breakthrough into the D. I don't think you'll find an MVP or most improved goalie (moving from 1B to 1A goalie is still a step up the ladder) this season gone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwIk9k0rVHg

 In the kit colours he wore at the start of the season, pinched from: link

Remembering Nick Brothers

And not in any random, morbid or weird sounding way. It's that time of year and the Euro Hockey League KO16 is upon us. Even though Reading have James Bailey stepping in in his place and 'stepping up to the plate' with his shot stopping abilities, it could be easy not to reflect on what Brothers brought to the 'blue army', stepping up his game against the best in Europe. Brothers was a stalwart for Reading for quite some time and it was a shame to see him retire from hockey after putting on such great goalkeeping performances in recent years. Brothers arguably excelled at Euro Hockey action, being a rock in Reading's defence as the English side became the first English team in third place in the reformed European club tournament set-up. Notably, some great goalie showcases against Barcelona were the most memorable, with some great double saves on short corners against the Spanish side and their deadly drag flickers (can't remember the name, but he's in their national squad!), along with battles with Belgium's KHC Dragons who have also done well in the tournament. Reading triumphed over Oranje Zwart in the 2010/11 season, with the help of Brothers's goalkeeping talents, securing the first highest place finish for an English team in the Euro Hockey League since its inception in the 2007/8 calendar season.

For an example, the following clips demonstrate this. Thanks for the memories I think Reading (and the Goalies Union) should say!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJcxh5tKB38

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2SeiavimsE

Scanlon retaining his place in HWHC 1s

So as the season draws to near to closing and after the signing of Hamish Coates for HWHC, it looks like Ian Scanlon is working hard to keep his spot. After all, having taken it off Simkins about five seasons ago, I don't think he's going to give it up so easily! And he has been in great form recently, surprising Cannock in an upset that saw them win away. Out of all the national league men's teams, I think only Exeter has seen similar competition between their goalkeepers, although I think they'll be healthy competition at Indian Gym now that Alexander has joined with Qays Mir wanting to get back into first team action. Every other squad has a clear cut incumbent (i.e. no-one pushing them for starts, team is happy with them as their first choice, no plans to change! etc.) starter and then reserve arguably not yet ready for 1st team dominance, so it's interesting to see how the situation is being managed and how strong the club wants competition to be. Better to have to fight for starts to push yourself to play better and it looks like Scanlon (unlike some) is not struggling with someone nipping at his heels and is taking his game to another level.

Lonrenz Neff had joined HWHC previously and played in a game or cup game I think but Scanlon was still prefered. I still think his level of goalkeeping is the reason HWHC continue to get so far in the cup every year (they could make the finals for a third time consecutively this year, don't want to jinx it! Made more important by facing Beeston in the finals twice) and arguably a good reason as to why they are able to get points against some of the tougher (draw with Beeston for example) teams in the league and why they have not been in the relegation zone for a while (no offence to the team; Southgate have a strong team but are struggling, just goes to show how strong the league is, if it wasn't I'd be worried!).

And even though he has been selected for the England A side before, it seems strange that his ability is potentially overlooked. He was selected for the Junior World Cup GB U21's team about four years ago and did well out there, only conceding once against Malaysia for example, whilst all of the other notable goalkeepers like Pirmin Blaak, Leon Hayward and Nicklas Sakowsky, have generally been considered for international action recently (Blaak for Holland, Hayward for Australia A), goes to show how different countries approach their junior systems, to some degree.

And it looks like Coates has been playing for the 2s as the photo on the club's website suggests:

http://hwhc.co.uk/home/news/latest/match-reports-march-9/10

The emergence of Antoni Kindler

With the retirement of Mike Mahood after the 2008 Olympics, there were questions as to who would step up to take the first choice jersey, leading to the emergence of the young goalkeeper Antoni Kindler. In 2010 Kindler played in the Commonwealth Games and has been battling with Dave Carter for the starting spot, although the recent qualification tournament for the Olympics just past saw him taking over more permanently. Canada was only just beaten out of a place in the Olympics by the Argentinian men's team and with such a young goalkeeper at their disposal, Canada have a solid prospect for future games at the most elite level for years to come.

Jimi Lewis: a forgotten talent

Jimi Lewis seems to be an underrated talent often forgotten about by English hockey. The GB international who was Simon Mason's reserve at the 2004 Olympics now plys his trade at Grossflotbeker in Germany, starting out in national league as a 16 year old  (as far as I know, which is quite the achievement in itself). I *think* he was at Havant before moving to Cannock, but no idea as not strong on the details (and can't find much to say so!). Stuck behind the ever present Mason, he was probably not going to get much acclaim or attention but playing in a premier domestic league like that of the two time winning Olympians, Germany, is quite an achievement. With new talent emerging in England it's easy to forget about him, but he is a solid elite goalkeeper nonetheless, playing a strong and often reflex based style.

Andrew Issacs: sweeper keeper

Havant's most recent starting goalkeeper Andrew Isaacs (with the departures of Chris Bristow and then Dan Tolfrey previously), has quite the interesting style in the national league. With a kit set-up like that of the throwback years of cane and leather, with a very simplistic and minimalistic approach to equipment, he plays much like the sweeper keeper style preached about in football (soccer). Acting like an extra defender and being more involved in distribution than the normal static style coached, he'll happily come out aggressively to punt away an aerial into his D, or rush out to smother and intercept a pass. It's interesting to see how and if he will continue to push the boundaries of goalkeepers' expectations with his unique style, having adapted quickly to the national league.

The following clip shows a little of him in action (in the blue, with red undershirt):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlySCOD0m88&list=UU4-xxA-eJhjeyjSNqK2e4Fw&index=26&feature=plcp

Upcoming international talent

When scouting, it's good to look for talent not just on your home shores; especially so you know who'll be difficult to beat in the future! At present, there are a few protege (rather than prodigal, don't think they spend their money wastefully, oops!) goalkeepers rising through the ranks of hockey. Here's a few of the most talented youngsters to watch out for in the future:

Pirmin Blaak

Blaak is one of Holland's bright stars and will soon be on his way to international fame and glory, having already been included in the recent Olympics squad. As well as being selected to represent his country in the Junior World Cup in Singapore about three years ago, he has easily taken hold of the starting spot for Rotterdam in the Hoofdklasse; a role testament to his ability. He possesses the ability to control his area and defence well, with good reflexes and shot stopping skill, but can sometimes make the odd wrong decision; at this level though and at his prime age, that is not such a big issue as the rest of his play is consistent and confident. With Guus Vogels recently announcing his retirement, I don't think it will be long until Blaak steps between the posts for his nation (he is starting to, but regards to full time!). With his skill and young age, he could have a long and illustrious career for club and country.

Leon Hayward

This fast-rising protege is one to watch out for. Another competitor in the Junior World Cup, he was quickly added to the Australia indoor and A side squads. With the retirement of world class Mowlam and then Lambert, Australia has some big boots to fill in its goalkeeping department, but this prodigy is quickly rising up the ranks with speed. Having already spent a few seasons in the AHL, he recently won a bronze medal with Australia U21s in the FIH Junior World Cup. He has since been called up to the  Australian 'A' team and won a surprised cap representing his country in an indoor tournament in Germany.

Leon plays a very forward thinking game, wanting to be in position before the shot, with a very set and prepared style of goalkeeping. He wears the lightest set-up I've seen with ice hockey shoulder caps and rugby padded shorts for maximum movement, but has since upgraded his protection to Mazon body armour and elbow pads, with padded shorts. Thankfully for those that worry about injuries!

 

Niklas Sakowsky

Sakowsky is another shining star from Europe. The young German goalkeeper was the starting 'keeper in the junior world cup, playing a lead role in Germany's gold medal triumph. Especially good on short corners, he also commands his D well. Another reflex style goalkeeper, he is one of the only German goalkeepers I've seen going 'Dutch'. Sakowsky has started to get more starts over Christian Shulte (the well experienced ex-German senior international), playing for his club side Crefelder HTC for a number of games and was part of his indoor 1^st team games this season, as well as playing a few games outdoor this side of the year. The future looks bright for Sakowsky, who should soon eventually take over full time and push to replace Max Weinhold when he retires.

The rise of David Kettle

The story of David Kettle's rise to the elite is a bit of an interesting story. Having been Fair's deputy whilst studying at university, the Cannock star then went to play professionally in the Malaysian hockey league for Sapura HC and a season in Australia (or so I've heard!). This all important game experience being a number one as a young goalkeeper helped in as he went in search of a place in the English national premier league. Rather than join Holcombe in the East conference, where he would be a definite starter, he decided instead to join East Grinstead. There he played a few games in which EG were seen to be the favourites and split time with Potton. Getting a taste of further game action in the premier league, having played for Cannock previously, he obviously recently signed for Surbiton where has taken over as the starter.

This transition has been interesting to watch as it is often difficult to beat out an incumbent starter as a goalkeeper at whatever level. His perseverance and commitment has seen this happen and is a great demonstration for younger ambitious goalkeepers to learn from. Surbiton obviously see a lot of potential (of which is there already) given they have given him the starting role, leaving Bristow to leave for Eastbourne. With him racking up experience at the top domestic level, it has seen the Welsh international rise the goalkeeping ranks for his country as he has played in competitive matches for them recently.

From what I've seen, he is becoming a more well rounded goalkeeper and is a dominant force within the D. He has developed his style from playing with the thinner profile obo hi control rhp to the tk style to give more of a blocking surface to utilise when making saves to the right, whilst he has ditched the right elbow protector he used to wear and gone fully 'dutch' as they say.

With his athleticism and agility, combined with his awareness to come out and challenge aerials and passes, he is fun to watch and I think if he keeps on developing and working hard he could put himself up for GB contention like Ali McGregor did.

You can watch him in action in the following clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz2-2JPdphI&list=PL226257F76E25F16B&index=9&feature=plpp_video

Harte's got heart

David Harte, the Irish goalkeeping sensation, is on the rise and has the potential to really shine. The former wonder kid star is not so new around the block. Playing as the starting goalkeeper for Ireland at the ripe age of 19 at the European championships against the likes of Taeka Taekema and Santa Frixa, he has quickly cemented his spot as the starting goalkeeper for his nation. This is great for Ireland because they now have a long term answer to their quandary of star talent. As he gets more and more experience he can only get even better, and may soon turn out to be one of the best in the world.

A good analogy for him is the soccer sensation Joe Hart. David Harte is kind of like the hockey version of Joe Hart; he has bags of talent and is considerably young and still has time to get even better before he hits his peak. Hart made an impression at Man City, earning valuable game experience where he proved himself on loan at Birmingham City, before taking the starting spot from Shay Given and running with it. Hart is on his way to becoming one of the world’s best, as I think Harte is.

The former Pembroke Wanderers star now plays in Holland with his brother, another Irish international. Having impressed in the EHL it was obvious that his talent would be recognised and a bigger club would come looking. That came true, with him going SCHC in Holland (he's now at another team, Kampong I think!), with him now plying his trade in the Hoofdklasse. Having got the experience of the Euro Hockey League at a young age, he has already been exposed to the tough atmosphere of professional hockey and be tested by the talents of names like Jamie Dwyer and Teun de Neijer. He is well on the way to being a great keeper on the international stage, having proved his worth at club and domestic national level and only time will tell how good he will become. 

You can see him in action in the following clip for SCHC:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQlOFrJw0-M