Tasmanian Institute of Sport coach Andrew McDonald said the pair’s decision to represent their state in this week’s Australian Hockey League is proof of their continued involvement at a national level.

Both players were left distraught in Brazil when the Kookaburras went out in the quarter-finals, ending a proud run of six consecutive Olympic medals.

"To have your lifelong dream taken away is pretty devastating," said Deavin, 32, of Launceston.

Ockenden, 29, of Hobart, added: “You don't find many things in your life that you can do with full passion so I'm pretty lucky but I don't feel like playing hockey at the moment.”

However, the multiple Olympians and World Cup champions have both put their hand up to help the Tasmanian Tigers try and reclaim the national title they won for the first time in 2014.

“I have not seen anything that suggests they are not committed to playing on,” McDonald said.

“Eddie and Deavo both had an opportunity to step down from the AHL and chose not to. They both said they were looking forward to playing for Tasmania.

“You can take it from this that they are not retiring and both want to keep playing.

“Eddie had the chance to play overseas, like a few of the other guys are doing. He could have played in the Netherlands where he has played before, but chose not to.”

Immediately after the Olympic quarter-final exit to the second-ranked Dutch team, Kookaburras coach Graham Reid praised the Tasmanian pair’s contribution.

"They are both tireless workers," he said. "Both are extremely valuable players in our group."

Coached by Glenn Freeman with assistance from McDonald, the Tigers launch their AHL campaign in Perth on Thursday.