Two former Trident High School hockey stars are hoping to weave their magic when they take to the turf with the Mavericks this weekend.

Bradley Rothwell and Vance Harvey have been named in the newly announced men’s Mavericks line-up to contest New Zealand’s elite hockey league, set to run from November 2 until December 7.

The three other teams joining them in the competition are the Apliners, Falcons and Tridents.

There will be 25 men’s black sticks playing in their section, while 19 women will take part in the women’s equivalent.

It’s a competition Hockey New Zealand has created to provide fast paced action-packed hockey for players and fans.

Rothwell has recently returned from Malaysia with the New Zealand under-21 men, playing in the Sultan of Johor Cup, and is excited to be part of the Mavericks.

“I am looking forward to the Mavericks campaign getting underway again. It’s going to be some tight competition but I’m excited to be part of the pinnacle competition for hockey in New Zealand.”

He loved his opportunity with the New Zealand side in Malaysia in October.

“It was an awesome experience. We were all a great group of mates. It was a cool place to play with a great atmosphere and it was hot, 34-degree days with high humidity.

“I thought for us coming together as a team for the first time, not losing a clash in normal time and holding the lead and playing good hockey against top opposition, was a positive. We conceded the least number of goals, and the tactics from the coach were easy to understand and implement. This allowed us to do quite well.”

Following the Mavericks campaign where he hopes to lead them to a national title, Rothwell has one eye on the junior world qualifiers at the start of next year.

Harvey, who is a New Zealand indoor hockey representative, will be another hoping to push his case for higher honours with strong performances on the turf.

The duo were part of the exciting North versus South series earlier in the year, which the North Island won.

First up are the Auckland-based Tridents in Auckland, who they also play in week three in Tauranga. Their clashes in round two and four are against the South Island Alpiners in Christchurch and Hamilton, before back-to-back games against the Central Falcons in Hamilton and Palmerston North respectively.