New Delhi, Dec 18 (NationPress) Following his remarkable performance at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in securing India’s bronze medal, young goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh is entering the Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 with great confidence. The Tamil Nadu Dragons goalkeeper was among India's standout players during the tournament, making crucial saves in a shootout against Belgium in the quarterfinals and consistently delivering strong performances throughout.

Reflecting on the impact of the FIH Men's Junior Hockey World Cup on his mindset, Prince Deep stated, “I feel significantly more confident after this tournament because I performed well in front of such a large home crowd. The cheers from the fans fueled my motivation every time I made a save.”

“During the shootout, seeing so many fans supporting me in the stadium motivated me to stop the ball for them. After saving the fourth shootout, the noise was exhilarating and boosted my confidence even further. When the fifth shot came, I believed I could stop it, and I managed a double-save. That moment was my highlight and even went viral,” Prince Deep reminisced.

As he prepares for the HIL, Prince Deep will reunite with the Tamil Nadu Dragons, playing alongside legendary Irish goalkeeper David Harte, with whom he shared the dressing room last season. Discussing Harte's influence on his development, Prince Deep explained, “He is among the world’s top goalkeepers. He taught me how to handle pressure, which is incredibly important. I used to commit too early, but he advised me to stay on my feet and react at the last moment. Training with such a renowned player will be immensely beneficial, and I am eager to learn more from him.”

The young goalkeeper highlighted that observing Harte closely during practice has sharpened his fundamentals and decision-making abilities. “I would watch him closely during training to learn his techniques. He emphasized staying relaxed during penalty corners and managing the pressure. He often reminded me to eliminate negativity from the field and focus solely on my performance,” Prince Deep shared.

Since last season, Prince Deep feels he has made significant strides, thanks to consistent exposure at the international level and extensive training at national camps under the guidance of PR Sreejesh, the former Indian goalkeeper and current head coach of the men's junior team. Sreejesh has been instrumental in helping Prince Deep secure medals in two major tournaments, including a silver at the Sultan of Johor Cup and a bronze at the recent Junior World Cup.

“There's been a noticeable change in my game. Previously, I felt nervous during matches, but now I approach them differently. My last two tournaments have gone well. Coach Sreejesh always advises me not to fixate on results but to focus on making basic saves, communicating effectively on the field, and remaining engaged in the game,” he explained.

Both Sreejesh and David Harte are revered figures in international hockey, having faced each other in significant tournaments and having played together in the early seasons of the Hockey India League in 2014. Training under both, Prince Deep recognized similarities in their playing styles, noting, “Both have taught me how to manage pressure and maintain composure. They emphasize that any decision made should be taken with conviction. If a goal is conceded, it’s essential to maintain confidence, move on quickly, and concentrate on the next action. They both prioritize decision-making, defensive positioning, and remaining calm.”

Prince Deep addressed the Tamil Nadu Dragons, expressing his disappointment over their semi-final loss last season but remained optimistic about the team's future. “We made a few mistakes last time, and we aim to correct them this season. Most of the team remains the same, and our training camp starts soon. We have a solid squad balance, and everyone is committed to improving from last year,” he stated.

As the Hockey India League approaches, Prince Deep believes that the competition, along with the knowledge of his opponents, will heighten the excitement, especially since his Junior World Cup teammates will be competing against him. “I understand how many of these players operate and their strengths and weaknesses, so it will be thrilling to compete against them in the league. It promises to be an exhilarating season,” he concluded with enthusiasm.

The Men's Hockey India League 2026 kicks off on January 3rd, with Tamil Nadu Dragons hosting Hyderabad Toofans in Chennai for their opening match.