Top five best strikers in men's hockey in the year 2022 to bank on

These five forwards are the leaders in their craft at this time.

Goals in a game is what makes it interesting. The spectators wait with bated breath to behold a goal from their favourite team. Though goals are hard to come by in games like football and hockey, it is the anticipation that makes it worthwhile.The sight of the ball rippling the net, the celebration among the players and the crowd exploding into tumultuous applause is what makes the game enthralling.

Apart from that, we all know that it's the goals that win a team matches. The side with the most number of goals after the stipulated time wins the game. This is exactly where the forwards come in. They make these goals happen. Even though in hockey we also have expert drag-flickers to do this job, the need of a clinical finisher is still of utmost importance. A poacher who knows how to get the job done.

So, today we are going to do a countdown of the best strikers in the men's hockey today. Check out the names of the players who give defenders a run for their money.

5. Christopher Ruhr (Germany)

Christopher Ruhr has established himself as a prolific forward for the German national side. The 28-year-old from Dusseldorf has played over 150 games for the Honamas and scored 64 goals. The two-time FIH Rising Star of the Year winner (2013, 2015) is a gold medal winner at the 2013 Junior World Cup and 2014 Champions Trophy, thus establishing himself as one of the best strikers in men's hockey.

The Rot-Weiss Koln player is a double silver medalist at the EuroHockey Championship. Moreover, Ruhr also won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Christopher was selected for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where he performed exceptionally well. The striker scored three goals in the s. However, the Germans missed out on a medal, as they lost to India in the third place playoff.

4. Mandeep Singh (India)

Mandeep Singh is currently busy stacking up goals in the FIH Pro League. The Jalandhar man has scored five goals in the tournament so far. The India vice-captain has a total of 88 goals for his country in over 170 appearances.

The Surjit Hockey- Academy alumnus made his debut for the national team on 18th February, 2013. His amazing performance paved his way into the national squad and he has not looked back since. His decorated career has seen him win many medals. That includes silver medals in the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup as well as bronze at the Asian Games and Olympics. Last but not the least, comes a gold at the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018.

The 27-year-old scored five goals at the Champions Trophy in Muscat in 2018. Mandeep has many years left in his tank as a player and will be a nightmare for opposing defenders in years to come.

3. Blake Govers (Australia)

One of the finest young strikers in the men's hockey today, Blake Govers is already a star in his own right at just 25 years of age. Govers, who plays his club hockey in NSW Pride in Australia, has accumulated a staggering 89 goals in just 103 appearances. Govers' seven-year career so far is laden with multiple accomplishments.

Blake was the joint-top scorer at the 2018 World Cup with seven goals. The Woolongong resident was also the top scorer at the 2019 FIH Pro League with 12 goals in 14 games for the Kookaburras. As a result of which he was nominated for the FIH Rising Star of the Year award. Blake also left his mark at the recent Tokyo Olympics.

He was the second-highest goalscorer in Tokyo with seven goals to his name. Infact, it was his goal that gave the Aussies the 2-1 lead in the semi-finals against Germany.

2. Tom Boon (Belgium)

Tom Boon is not only one of Belgium's most experienced players but also their top striker. Coming from a hockey family, Boon quickly found his love for the game. He has played for different clubs including Racing, Bloemendaal and Leopold. Tom has already scored 124 goals for his national side.

Boon made his senior debut in 2008 and has been part of many memorable moments since then. The 2019 EuroHockey Championship is one such example. Belgium won their first European title that year thanks to his brilliant performances. He scored five goals and was one of the top scorers of the tournament. He also played a crucial part in Belgium's success at the Tokyo Olympics. The over 300-match veteran scored three goals in Tokyo and helped the Red Lions win gold.

1. Jeroen Hertzberger (Netherlands)

Jeroen Hertzberger might be 36-years-old, but has shown no signs of slowing down yet.The 267-match veteran actively competes at both club and international level. Hertzberger has piled up 127 goals for the Dutch side. Jeroen played his first Olympics in 2008 in Beijing and his last was at Tokyo 2020.

Despite the fact that the Dutch team performed below-par in Tokyo, Hertzberger clearly demonstrated his abilities as a player. He scored in the opening group games against Belgium and Germany and also in the important quarter-final match against Australia. However, luck did not favour his team as the Dutch lost all those games.

Jetoen also delivered at the 2018 Hockey World Cup and scored the first hat-trick against Malaysia. Moreover, the forward is also the all-time top scorer in the Euro Hockey League with 26 goals.

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