JHL Debuts with Strong Mavericks Presence and Promising Future

The inaugural Junior Hockey League (JHL) made its highly anticipated debut at King's College in Auckland from April 13–17, bringing together the best Under-21 hockey talent from across the country in a high-performance setting. The JHL not only marked a return to National U21-level competition but also set the stage for a new era in player development and regional representation, with the Mavericks region proudly contributing to the league’s exciting first chapter.

The Mavericks, representing Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Thames Valley, and Taranaki, fielded both men's and women's U21 squads for the tournament, making a significant impact on and off the turf.

Jamie Stones, Head Coach of the Mavericks U21 Men's team, reflected on the experience:
"It was an enjoyable experience working with a young and exciting group from the Mavericks region. Having the expertise of Ben Tanner and Darren Smith was invaluable for the whole group through the short and sharp campaign. It was also very cool to see a national U21 event back on the calendar. The fact that the Mavericks region played a big part in it is exciting for the future."

With a compressed build-in, teams had little time to prepare, but the Mavericks embraced the challenge. Stones highlighted the importance of team identity and connection:
"One key takeaway was the value of regional representation and pride—it was clear how much it meant to the players to represent the Mavericks and build a lasting culture to take off from. Another takeaway was the importance of early connection and culture-building, which really helped the group perform under pressure late in the week."

Captain of the U21 Men’s side, Brad Rothwell, echoed those sentiments:
"U21 JHL was awesome fun, especially being with a group of guys all around your age who you have played with or against heaps of times. The Mavs team culture I’d say was the best. What made it this was an open mindset, sticking together, and putting the team first while always having a laugh and banter. Overall, a great experience and I’m looking forward to watching this tournament grow next year."

Despite time constraints, the coaching staff was proactive in fostering team unity. Stones shared that they relied on pre-tournament online meetings and the natural leadership within the group:
"We were lucky to have some key figures in the group who were natural culture leaders and helped drive an inclusive team environment. Day one saw a few manu competitions and countless FIFA duels, which created a fun, competitive environment at camp."

Looking ahead, Stones sees room to build on the foundation laid this year:
"Hopefully with JHL now being an established part of the NZ Hockey calendar, it would be great to run a few training camps in different parts of the Mavericks region. That would allow us to assemble earlier, get some quality training weekends under our belt, and build chemistry, culture, and a shared understanding of how we want to play before the tournament starts."

On the women’s side, Mavericks U21 Captain Ella Leighton described her experience as unforgettable.
"Being part of the Mavericks JHL team was a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Having players from across the country come together to compete as one team was a rare and incredible opportunity that few get to experience. We were extremely fortunate to have a coaching staff that brought a wealth of knowledge and experience, helping each of us grow both as players and individuals."

The benefits of the competition extended beyond just match play.
"The JHL was extremely beneficial for my development as a hockey player," Leighton said. "It provided a platform to compete against the best players in my age group from across New Zealand. Events like the JHL play a crucial role in bridging the gap, giving players the opportunity to grow, be seen, and strive for greater goals."

Culture-building was equally essential for the women’s squad. Despite meeting just hours before competition began, a welcoming team environment helped the group gel quickly.
"Meeting your teammates the night before stepping onto the field together is a rare and unique experience," Leighton recalled. "Darren’s ability to set high expectations while also reminding us that it's just hockey—and that we’re all here because we love it—was incredibly important. His dad jokes also helped lighten the mood."

As the curtain falls on the first-ever JHL, the Mavericks can look back with pride. From developing future national representatives to building a culture rooted in connection and fun, Hockey New Zealand and all franchises have taken an important step in its high-performance journey. The league’s successful debut suggests an exciting future, with momentum already building for 2026.

JHL Mavericks Mens team

Not in photo order: Brylie Adams, Kaleb Adolph, Aiden Bax, Owen Brown, Ashton Carter, Caleb Davel, Leon Du Preez, Nopera Hohepa, Te Orangawairua Hohepa, Josh McCaul, Raanick Patel, Thomas Pilmore-Evans, Micah Pugh, Bradley Rothwell, Richard Ruetsch, Matthew Ruetsch, Aidan Ruffell, Harmanpreet Singh.

Coaches: Jamie Stones, Ben Tanner.

JHL Mavericks Womens Team

Not in photo order: Milla Albon, Grace Aldridge, Imogen Aulding, Kuinivia Blakelock, Ella Booth, Eva Sexton, Roimata Brown, Alanah Eru, Riley Grylls, Sophie Hancock, Sophie Hodges, Nicole Kowalewski, Holly Landon, Ella Leighton, Madison Lobb, Anna Mclean, Maddy Shale, Charlotte Donaldson.

Coaches: Darren Smith, Mel Aiken, Sam Child.