To say Alexander Hendrickx is a modern-day legend in hockey would be an understatement. Since making his debut for the Belgium senior team in 2012, the lanky drag-flicker has built a trophy cabinet that any player would envy. A reserve member of the squad at the Rio Olympics, where Belgium won silver, Hendrickx’s rise truly began with the 2018 World Cup.
Scoring seven goals and finishing as the joint top-scorer, the 32-year-old played a pivotal role in Belgium’s maiden World Cup triumph. They followed it up with the European Championship later that year and then claimed gold at the Tokyo Olympics, where Hendrickx once again topped the goal-scoring charts with 14 goals. Over the course of his international career, Hendrickx has scored a staggering 113 goals in 179 appearances for Belgium.
This champion mentality is exactly what Kalinga Lancers will be hoping to tap into when Hendrickx arrives in India for the second season of the revamped Hockey India League. Last season was a forgettable one for the Odisha-based franchise as they finished sixth on the points table.
This time around, however, the Lancers are expecting things to change, and Hendrickx has already laid out the blueprint for a stronger campaign.
TEAM GOALS OVER PERSONAL MILESTONES
For Hendrickx, everything for the Lancers must begin with defence, an area where he will take on a key leadership role. The Belgian star believes the team is far better equipped to handle penalty corners this season, something he feels will provide a solid foundation.
“I think we conceded too many goals. I think we need to be more structured. I think this season we have a quality first runner to block the corners going glove side. I think that’s really important because if the goalie knows his glove side is covered, he will be more confident to also stop the rest of the balls and last season, he had to cover the whole goal, which in modern hockey is almost impossible. If we do the same as last year attacking-wise, because we had some really nice team goals, some really good on-the-ball skills. But I think the defensive mindset should be the first one,” said Hendrickx.
Hendrickx scored seven goals last season — a number modest by his own high standards. While he is keen on bettering that tally, personal milestones clearly come second to the team’s objectives.
“I always want to improve every year, so it has to be more than 7 goals this season then. But for me, I prefer to set team goals. The team’s goal should be to reach the playoffs first, and from then on we will see. But personally, it’s always nice if I can help by scoring some goals or giving some assists on the corner,” said Hendrickx.
This season, the Lancers have also appointed experienced coach and three-time Olympic medallist Jay Stacey in a bid to spark a revival. Hendrickx will be working with Stacey for the first time, alongside a strong Australian contingent featuring Jed Snowden, Craig Marais, Liam Henderson and Cooper Burns.
“I personally haven’t had Jay Stacey as a coach yet, but I’m looking forward to work with him because I heard some good things about him. We will have to train also with the four new Australian guys. Uh, you know them a bit from international hockey, but still playing together, it will take like a few training sessions,” said Hendrickx.
HIL AND INDIAN FLAIR
Having played club hockey across Europe and around the world, Hendrickx believes the Hockey India League offers a unique experience. According to the Belgian, the passionate Indian crowd adds a special dimension to the tournament.
“The HIL is special because you have a big crowd watching. It’s also a prestigious tournament. You feel also the Indian fans like want your team to do well, so you don’t want to disappoint them. So, yeah, I think it’s really nice to play in the tournament. I remember the comeback we did last year, where we’re 4-0 behind, and won it 5-4, the like the atmosphere and the people were so happy, so we want to bring that to every game, actually,” said Hendrickx.
This season, the Lancers boast a strong Indian core, with Sanjay named as one of the captains alongside Belgian defender Arthur van Doren. The squad also includes Krishan B Pathak and Dilpreet Singh.
Sanjay was among the players Hendrickx came up against recently as a young Indian side pushed Belgium hard in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final. However, the Belgian believes there is plenty more Indian talent ready to shine.
“A lot of guys impressed me last season. We had Gursahibjit and Dilpreet. They’re really skillful. I haven’t seen such skills, so. Um, they’re really good players. I think Sanjay already proved himself to be a good player, and I think he’s also a leader for the other Indians. He’s doing it well. But I’m also looking forward for the even younger guys to play well,” said Hendrickx.
BELGIUM TRANSITION AND HIL ROLE
Hendrickx is now among the final members of Belgium’s golden generation. Following their meteoric rise, the team endured a disappointing Paris Olympics campaign, exiting in the quarter-finals — a natural consequence of a transition phase.
Recent signs have been encouraging, including a win at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, and with a home World Cup on the horizon, Hendrickx believes Belgium are nearing the end of that transition.
“I hope for the World Cup next year we are ready. I think the transition has been there. The last tournament, we didn’t play our best hockey, which is logical because we had 8 new players, playing their first tournament. But now, we don’t have any excuses anymore and the new players have settled. I think they’re doing really well. So I think by the time we’re there at the World Cup, everybody should be on their A game and we have big expectations,” said Hendrickx.
At the franchise level, Hendrickx sees himself not just as a goal scorer but also as a mentor within the Lancers setup.
“I will try to guide them and help them during training sessions and also during the game, if people are stressed or don’t know really where to stand defensively. I will tell them and I will be really communicative with it. I think that’s one of my roles as well, and to be positive with everyone and to guide them. I think that’s one of my main assets,” concluded Hendrickx.
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