Otago NHC Men's Team Named
13/8/2026
Otago Hockey is excited to announce the Men’s team for the 2026 National Hockey Championship (NHC), taking place from 13–19 September at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington.
The squad is headlined by capped Black Sticks Benji Culhane and Patrick Ward, as well as Jordan Ward, who returns to the Otago side after a year away exploring the world. He will be flying in from Melbourne alongside James Nicolson. Those four alongside Felix McIntosh, were part of the back-to-back NHC-winning Otago side, bringing valuable championship experience to the group.
There will also be plenty of new faces at the NHC, with the unrelated Ward twins, Hogan and Kurt, set to make their first NHC appearances for Otago. Baxter Meder, Jack O’Neill and Micah Duckles will also make their NHC debuts for Otago, adding plenty of exciting young talent to the squad.
The team features a strong mix of experience and emerging talent, with players coming together from across Otago and further afield to represent the province on the national stage.
The side will be coached by Jaiden Chhika, who is assisted by former New Zealand U21 International Johnny Thorn.
FULL SQUAD
Oliver Battrick (Taieri)
Gordy Chatfield (Kings United)
Jack Cotton (Albany)
Benji Culhane (Auckland)
Hamish Davenport (Albany)
Micah Duckles (Albany)
Jakarta Klebert (Guest Player)
Felix McIntosh (Player of Origin)
Baxter Meder (Taieri)
Thomas Meder (Albany)
Hugh Nixon (University)
James Nicolson (Player of Origin)
Jack O'Neill (Kings United)
Daniel Torr (Kings United)
Hogan Ward (University)
Jordan Ward (Player of Origin)
Kurt Ward (University)
Patrick Ward (Taieri)
The following players will also be involved in the Otautahi Cup in Christchurch.
Hugo Maitland (Taieri)
Fergus Oberlin-Brown* (Albany)
Daniel Poulter (University)
*Unavailable for NHC
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