Maori/All Stars Profiles 2021 - #3

Posted September 23, 2021
IHNZ News

As part of the IHNZ  25th celebrations, an exhibition game is being held between a New Zealand  All Stars team and a New Zealand Maori team.  This match will showcase some of our most exciting talent in hockey and we look forward to introducing the members of these teams over the following days.  
 
This game will be broadcast live on Sky Sport Next.

Today’s profiles are the New Zealand All Stars leadership team - Captain and Assists:

• Paul Jameson
• James O’Donnell
• Dane Hill

Paul Jameson has played Inline hockey since 1995 and represented his region and New Zealand on multiple occasions.

Paul says together with Liam Shields they form one of the heaviest lines in inline hockey history!

Paul currently plays for the Capital Penguins and includes travelling to the USA for NARCh as one of his highlights in hockey.

Paul has also been named Captain of the IHNZ All Stars 2021 25th Celebration team.

James O’Donnell started playing inline hockey for the Wanganui Lightning at just 9 years old. Due to study and work, James has played for various clubs in Palmerston North, Auckland and Melbourne before moving back to Wanganui a few years ago.

James highlights include:

• representing New Zealand at Oceanias from under 16 to senior grades
• AAU and the IIHF world qualifiers and championships.
   

Dane Hill began his Inline Hockey path in 1996 after falling in love with the Mighty Ducks movies! For his first stick he used a field hockey stick bought at a garage sale and for a puck he used old christmas decorations!

One day in class he overheard that there was roller sport at the local leisure centre and about a club in Glenfield called the Blackhawks - he was hooked and the rest is history!

Dane started in 1997 with the Blackhawks playing all his age grade years with them and spending most of that time in a fierce rivalry with the Canucks. Huge shout out to Andrew Davidson, Matt Morgan, Travis Divine and Caleb Morris in net to name a few who grew up playing with him and who all played for New Zealand at some point. Dane credits coaches Brett Parker, Emma Grey, Maryann Lynch and Jason Toovey as all being influential in his hockey days.

Growing up he idolised players such as Jason Toovey, Ryan Lovins, Dion Bunt, Clyde Jackson, James Trevena Brown, Steve Fahey and Jared Parker. 2005 saw a move to Hamilton with Noel Wilson as coach and the beginnings of lifelong friendships with players from the Waikato. In 2006 Dane started a 5 year stint with the Panthers, moving to the Sabres then Orcas and is currently skating with the Stingrays.

Dane says the sport has given him so much that he is thankful for and highlights the IIHF Inline Hockey World Cup (Senior Men) held in Germany in 2012 as well as his Regional golds. He says every tournament is special and win or lose it’s still awesome! Hockey runs in the Hill family blood with all three brothers playing. Keep an eye out for the next generation of Hills starting hockey with Dane’s young son now taking the rink for the Vipers 10U team!