Area hockey players hot on central Ohio ice

As seen in The Pataskala Standard
Thursday, November 15, 2007

KURT SNYDER

Beacon photo by Scott Rawdon. Watkins Memorial freshman Jake Miller, left, battles for a loose puck while playing for the P.R.P.C. club hockey team during a recent game against the Newark Generals. Miller is one of seven area players on the Prowlers, a perennial power in central Ohio.

On the prowl The P.R.P.C. Prowlers have seven area players this season. The Prowlers have won their league's regular-season championship three of the past four years and regained the Blue Jackets Cup last season.

Additional photos from the 11/08/2007 Prowlers at Newark Generals Game on PataskalaStandard.com

COLUMBUS -- Zach Wiard has covered kickoffs and punts with reckless abandon for the Watkins Memorial football team.

In the spring, he puts his body in danger with each trip down the runway in pole vault for the track team.

So, it really comes as no surprise what Wiard spends his winters doing. Wiard is a captain and a four-year varsity member of the P.R.P.C. Prowlers club hockey team.

"(Wiard) was late joining us this year, but his teammates voted him as captain despite his lack of presence at the beginning of the year," Prowlers coach Jay Catherine said. "That says a lot about his character and what the guys believe in him."

Wiard is one of seven area residents on the local hockey power, which also has players from both Pickerington high schools, Canal Winchester, Reynoldsburg and Bishop Hartley.

Last year, the Prowlers won their third regular-season Greater Columbus High School Club Hockey League championship in four years and regained the Blue Jackets Cup after falling in consecutive years in the finals.

So far, the Prowlers are 6-1-1 this season. They host the Westerville Warcats on Friday at 6:20 p.m. at the Dispatch Ice Haus.

"(Wiard) is just one of those guys that is completely reliable," Catherine said. "You can put him in any situation. You can put him against other teams' top lines. He is very physical, too."

Sophomore J.D. Klinger and freshman Jake Miller join Wiard from Watkins. Senior Ryan Straker and freshmen Sean Straker and Andrew Painter represent Licking Heights, and freshman Erik Heinmiller is one of two players from Hartley.

Catherine said the Straker brothers quickly earned a reputation on the team for their high intensity. Ryan Straker brought it from his first day as a sophomore, and Sean Straker has shown the same trait.

"I remember Ryan his first year when he came to us, and he wasn't one of the bigger guys on the team," Catherine said. "At tryouts, he was just playing physical and running some of the older players. Guys were like, 'Who is this kid?' ...They don't hold back."

Klinger is a sophomore forward in his first season of varsity play, but he has filled in a hole created by several graduation losses. Klinger has already scored four goals and been in the middle of most scoring chances.

Miller has quickly adjusted to varsity play and is also one of the top forwards for the Prowlers. Catherine said Miller is one of the most advanced players his age and highlighted his versatility.

"From our first game, he was out on the top line. He was really able to step in and step up," Catherine said. "He has also been able to play some at the point on the power play for us. That is kind of nice to have an extra forward out there on the point sometimes."

Heinmiller and Painter have both joined Reynoldsburg sophomore Jeremiah Holland in the battle to be the Prowlers' goalie. Catherine said all three are strong fundamentally, but being so young, it is a trial by fire.

Molding players each season from a half-dozen high schools can be a challenge, Catherine said, but on the ice, the Prowlers have shown an ability to co-exist.

"Once we get in that locker room -- Central and North are rivals -- but once we get in that room, there is no difference," Catherine said. "We are all Prowlers. Everybody on our team is playing for one objective."