10 best hockey players of all time

Hockey (or field hockey) is believed to have its roots in Ireland and/or Scotland. Derived from the Irish game ‘hurling’ or the Scottish version known as shinty, these games gained immense popularity among the people. Several other versions of the game are also believed to exist. Whether it is the Chinese version called Beikou or the Chikou, played by the European invaders of Chile. The game is now one of the most played sports around the world. Let’s take a look at the top 10 greatest hockey players of all time.

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10. Fergus Kavanagh

A collage of the greatest hockey players in action, showcasing their skills and iconic moments on the ice.

Starting the list, we have Australian field hockey player Fergus Kavanagh. Acclaimed by many as one of the greatest field hockey players of modern times, Kavanagh is a member of the Australian men’s field hockey team. In the domestic circuit, he plays for the Western State team in the Australian Hockey League. Fergus led his team to victory in the 2010 Delhi Hockey World Cup and the 2014 Hague World Cup. He has also helped his team win medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. His biggest achievement was winning at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

9. Jamie Dwyer

At number nine we have another fellow Australian, Jamie Dwyer. A leading member of the Australian field hockey team, he led his team to win the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He has played over 250 matches with an illustrious career, scoring over 150 goals. He played a key role in his team winning gold medals at the 2006 and 2008 Commonwealth Games. He is considered one of the best strategists in the game.

8. Dhanraj Pillay

Next, we have Indian field hockey icon, Dhanraj Pillay. He was the only Indian to be included in the World XI team for the 1994 World Cup in Sydney. He has participated in four Olympics from 1992 to 2004. Dhanraj also served as the captain of the Indian field hockey team. Throughout his career, he scored over 170 goals in 339 international games. Due to his contributions in the field of hockey, he was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award and the Padma Shri in 2000.

7. Ties Kruiz

This former Dutch field hockey player is considered one of the best penalty takers in the history of the sport. He participated as a member of the Dutch field team in many competitions such as the World Cup, EuroHockey Championships, Buenos Aires Hockey World Cup, etc. and won medals and positions in all of them. Apart from the national team, he was also a leading member of the HC Klein Zwitserland club.

6. shahbaz ahmed

At number six we have former Pakistani player Shahbaz Ahmed. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest forwards the game has ever seen. He was nicknamed the Maradona of field hockey because of his unmatched dribbling skills with the stick. As a captain, he led his team to a World Cup win in 1994. Apart from his national team, Ahmed also played for German club Harvestehuder. He participated in three Olympics and managed to secure a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics. Another significant achievement of his is that he is the only player in the history of field hockey to have won the Player of the Tournament award twice consecutively at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

5. Teun de Nooijer

Another Dutch field hockey player, he is also considered one of the best field hockey players of modern times. He plays for several teams apart from his national teams, such as Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the Indian Hockey League and Dutch team HC Bloemendaal. He won gold medals on two occasions: the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2000 Sydney Olympics. As a captain, he led his team to the finals at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.

4. Hassan Sardar

At number four comes Hassan Sardar, who is known as one of the most talented and perhaps the best player produced by the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Hassan won a gold medal and led the Pakistan national hockey team to victory at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Apart from his services on the field, Sardar has also assisted in the administration of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, serving as the head coach as well as manager of the national team.

3. Ric Charlesworth

Ric Charlesworth comes at number three on this list of all-time greatest hockey players. A pioneer of Australian field hockey, he represented his team in five Olympics. His contribution to hockey in general cannot be underestimated. At the 1986 Hockey World Cup in London, he led his team to victory. Due to his outstanding performance and contribution, he received the Australian Citizen of the Year award in 2001. Moreover, he was also inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame in 1987.

2. Sohail Abbas

Sohail Abbas, the first player to score 300 goals in field hockey, was truly a genius of the game. Loved by fans and considered one of the greatest field hockey players, Sohail was also considered one of the greatest flickers. He is the top scorer for Pakistan with 16 goals in three World Cups.

1. Dhyan Chand

Topping the list is none other than Colonel Dhyan Chand. He is considered the greatest field hockey player of all time and one of the greatest athletes in Olympic history. Known as the Magician, he scored over 100 goals throughout his career.