KEY POINTS:
New Zealand hockey is facing a massive changing of the guard after the Beijing Olympics.
Around half of the 32 Black Sticks at the Games will not play September's National Hockey League, with a handful expected to announce their retirement on their return from China.
But some might
be influenced by Olympic results as top four finishes would almost certainly book automatic spots in the 2010 World Cups.
A number of Shane McLeod's men's team are already set to take up contracts with European clubs after the Olympics while others will simply take time out after a hectic couple of years.
Long-serving goalkeeper Paul Woolford, 31, said he is almost certain to call it quits but is eyeing a possible involvement as a future goalkeeping coach.
Players heading to Europe include 207-match veteran and team captain Ryan Archibald, North Harbour's Ben Collier and Dave Kosoof, Auckland striker Simon Child, drag-flick exponent Hayden Shaw along with Phil Burrows (Wellington), Dean Couzins (Auckland), Shea McAleese (Central) and Wellington goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex.
Acclaimed North Harbour defender Blair Hopping, who is closing in on 190 caps, will come back from Beijing and put his stick away but is not ruling out a return next year.
"I have other things to think about," said Hopping. "Like our wedding in January and my work. Playing internationally can be very demanding and at a certain point you have to have a look at your priorities and take a step back."
Club contracts in Europe are becoming more attractive with players now capable of getting packages worth up to $80,000 or more for the season.
But, under the rules in some countries, New Zealand players are not allowed to play the NHL here while contracted to their European clubs.
This edict has left New Zealand Hockey bosses considering a change of dates for next season's league.
"By bringing the NHL forward a few weeks _ into August _ these players would be available," said Hockey NZ chief executive Ramesh Patel. "We will also have another look at the format and whether we play it as a tournament or a league spread over four or five weeks.
"We will be encouraging our Black Sticks to come back and perhaps bring an overseas international with them."
Black Sticks' women's captain Lizzy Igasan is another who will take a break on her return from the Olympics. She will bypass the NHL but is likely to return "some time in the future".
Fellow North Harbour player Jaimee Claxton is retiring after Beijing and, according to women's coach Kevin Towns, could be joined by others including Niniwa Roberts, Sheree Horvath, Jo Galletly, Tara Drysdale, Anita Wawatai and Caryn Paewai.
They will take with them a huge amount of experience with the 16 players in the men's team for Beijing averaging 113 internationals and the women 81.
The emphasis now will be on next year's Junior World Cups .