Jamie Dwyer capped an unlikely dream year when he was named the world's best men's hockey player for 2004.

Dwyer scored the extra time golden goal that clinched Australia's long-sought first Olympic men's hockey gold medal in Athens in August.

The 25-year-old Queenslander scored seven goals in a dominant Olympic campaign just four months after returning to the team from knee reconstruction surgery which sidelined him for seven months and threatened his Games selection.

He was recognised by fellow international players who voted him the World Hockey Player of the Year, the International Hockey Federation's most prestigious individual honour.

Dwyer is the only player - man or woman - to have won both the junior and senior player of the year awards.

He was voted the young player of the year in 2002 after exciting crowds at the World Cup and Champions' Trophy tournaments.

Dwyer beat out fellow Kookaburras star Bevan George and eight other nominees for this year's award.

Unfortunately Dwyer was not on hand to collect the award personally at a function held in conjunction with the Champions' Trophy in Pakistan as Australia pulled out of the tournament because of security fears.

"I didn't know what to say when I was told that I'd won the award. It's a great achievement for me personally," Dwyer said.

"I thought I had a pretty good Olympics but to be named the FIH's best player for the year is just unbelievable."

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