USA Men's Indoor Hockey team - seeking Americans around the world

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[peterwins]

USA Men’s National Indoor Team Trials

As I was recently appointed coach of the USA Men's Indoor team, I am trying to cast a wide net to find players from all over the world who hold a US passport.  What better way to reach out than to ask FHF members to spread the word in your clubs and leagues or to contact anyone who you think may have been born in the US or have an American parent.  I will also do my best to come up with a suitable USA hockey souvenir for anyone who provides the lead to player who makes the team!  (That sounds like the set up for an old joke -- and second prize is two USA hockey souvenirs).

Our team was good enough to qualify for the first Indoor world cup in 2003, but we would welcome a few high level players.  I am afraid that field hockey is not high enough profile that our association can do anything to help anyone get citizenship, so please don't contact me saying you would love to play for the US if we get you a passport!

Indoor trials will be held on the East Coast and West Coast.  Players must attend one of these trials or communicate directly with the coach (that's me) if they are outside the USA and unable to make either trial or have some other critical conflict.

East Coast Trial:  Sunday August 24th  WC Eagles Facility 562 Ridge Road, Spring City, PA  19475  Hours: 9-6

West Coast Trial:  Sunday September 7th  San Diego, CA venue TBA Hours: 9-6

Please register by clicking this link https://webpoint.usfieldhockey.com/wp/Events/ListTeams.asp completing the form and paying the fee of $75

Here are some details from the wb site.

Background:  The USA Men finished second at the first Pan Am Indoor Cup in 2002 and qualified for the first FIH Indoor World Cup in 2003 in Leipzig. We want return to that top level of competition.  The coach of the team is Peter Jones who captained the USA team in that first Indoor World Cup.  Nigel Traverso is the manager, the role he played in Leipzig

Goal:  To build a team of players with the skills, fitness, cohesion and knowledge of strategy to qualify for the 2011 Indoor World Cup

Approach:  Given the wide dispersion of players and the demands on their time for education and work, much training will have to be individual or in small groups following a program.  This will require a significant level of motivation and determination to "do the work".   Players will mostly come together to train and play at selected tournaments and for tours.

Commitment:  To be physically prepared.  To be mentally prepared.  To have your skills sharp.  To be ready to play as part of a team.  Competing at the world level is expensive and although we are receiving support from our association, players must be prepared to contribute to the cost of each tour.
Program for next 9 months:  (following trials)

European Tour:  November 5-10 Hannover Germany (5th and 10th are travel days)
4th Pan Am Indoor Cup (7 Nation):  November 17-24 Argentina

Spring Tournaments:  Jan-February exact dates TBD (likely two long weekends in North America)


There are about 20 months to our World Cup Qualifier and 32 to the IWC.  Sign on for the whole journey, not just a part (or parts) of it.

 

[Wassie]

Good luck with it. I have a couple of half US half Aussies at home, but they need another 10-15 years of playing experience before they can help you.

[peterwins]

make sure they have US passports and keep hockey sticks in their hands!  thanks for the good wishes
Peter

[fh4me2000]

Congrats Peter on your new appointment, tough task ahead, but I'm sure you'll do a great job.

Best of luck on attracting players, hope some of them come out of the woodwork and support your efforts.

[peterwins]

fh4me2000

thanks for your good wishes.  we have some experienced players who have played many years of indoor.  we laos have some grerat younger players in the US who haven't had much exposure to indoor yest who I hope will come out and give it a try.  The idea of this post was to see if we can unearth an extra player or two with a US passport from countries where men's field hockey is more widely played.

peter

[g9]

yes, like Wassie, my boys are a bit young to be of much help!  But definitely wishing you well and have already passed this on to someone who may know more male players that would be interested.  Good luck!

[Alexei]

Congrats for your appointment....

All the best for Team USA!

As you know I have US passport.... But I'm really crap at playing indoors (plus I'm old)

[peterwins]

all are welcome at the trials.  I am hoping that they can help pass along concepts and skills as well as serve as a method of selection.

peter

[hockeyaddict]

I dont have a US passport but would just like to say congrats on the appointment and hope you all the success in finding a Side.

Best of wishes for a successful career to you and the USA Team for the Future.

[Gazzer4]

All the best with your new position Peter.
 Hope you do well.
  Gary Johnston

[peterwins]

Thansk for the good wishes expressed and nice to hear again from some old friends.

Interestingly, a posting of this information on a Dutch hockey site led to two possible players from Switzerland!!  (A dutch coach based in switzerland saw the posting and contacted me with two players he knew had US citizenship.

As a result, I would love it if forum members could help me getr this info posted in Australia, germany, France, Spain and England, and anywhere else would help>

Peter

[Dan]

Is there any development for the men's teams going on?  I live in a town that probably has more field hockey than almost any that isn't near the coasts but when a boy was playing they kicked him off the school team. even a lawsuit didn't result in him being able to play.

[gaucho77]

Hey I think I know who you are. Do you usually come to play at Nationals up in Canada?
Anyways Congratulations to the promotion!!!
I am originally from Germany and I met one player who had US citizenship in Cologne. I believe he played for the US at the PanAm Games prior to the 1996 Olympics. However I do not remember his name i just talked to him at a field hockey store back in the home country this summer. I also do not know how old he was and whether he would qualify for your team. Also there is Andy Duncan here in Alberta but i'm sure you must know him quite well.
I hope I could help out, Good Luck!

[NicfromSweden]

is this the same team thats going to hannover to play in a couple of days?

[Wassie]

I think it is, Nic.