Hockey: NHL squads named, Cobras looking for repeat

Defending champions Capital Cobras hoisting their player of the day carving after clinching the 2015 NHL men's division.

While Northland hockey supporters will be looking out for the home teams at the National Hockey League and National Senior League, there is an interesting story that may fall to the wayside.

Capital Cobras, the defending men's division winners of the NHL, had a trophy with a difference for members of their own team.

In the moments after their triumph in the final last year they hoisted high a carved stick.

Capital Hockey Performance Manager Dane Lett explained the meaning of the carving.

"What they are holding is a cobra snake statue, Capital has never had an identity as such so last year the team adopted the Capital Cobras as their team name and have begun a few traditions in association with this," he said.

"One of which is Colin the Cobra which is our mascot which you see in the photos - he travels with us to every game and sits in the dug out each game."

"After a winning game Colin is passed on to a player of the day and then that person holds onto him until the next winning game in which he will be passed on again."

"It is quite a big deal to receive Colin."

Meanwhile, Northland have named their men's and women's squad for the tournament.

The women's side is full of new fresh faces and has an exciting element to it.

With the Blacks Sticks away on Olympic duty and not avaliable for selection this year, coach Angeline Waetford has selected a young talented group while retaining the experience of players such as Alana Millington and Laura Douglas.

The men's team has a good combination of experience and youth with some fresh faces in the mix. Rewards have gone to players who have played well in the Northland club competition and it is a team looking to build towards a promising future.

Northland Hockey has also gone on the draft and picked up four very useful players in Jackson Humphries, Sanjay Smith, Ken Hendricks (from North Harbour) and Auckland's Kalyan Jeram, bringing subtle skills and quick hands to the team.

There are 5 players who played in the Northland U18 team in this group with coach Hymie Gill happy with their continued development over the season.

Women's squad: Sarah Barnes, Lucy De Pass, Laura Douglas, Kelsey Eaton, Jess Heywood, Nicky Howes, Rachael Lecky, Josefina Maratea, Megan McGregor, Neve McLean, Maddi McLean, Alana Millington, Emma Moscrip, Kendyll Peters, Jess Pilmer, Samantha Polovnikoff, Jane Thomson, Teulia Wendt.

Men's squad: Adam Rafferty, Bronson Baker, Luther Cronin, Hadley Greenhalgh, Lloyd Gurr, Garrick Hately, Ken Hendricks, James Houston, Jackson Humphries, Grayson Javins, Kalyan Jeram, Tom Keogh, Zac Litchfield, Hamish Mckechnie, Strachan McLeod, Steve Nink, Mike Scott, Sanjay Smith.