New coach will maintain PRPC's high expectations

As seen in ThisWeek News
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

ANDERS LARSON
ThisWeek Staff Writer

By Andrea Kjerrumgaard/ThisWeek PRPC's Trevor Annetts (left) chases Ahmad Kalash of Westerville during their game last Friday at the Chiller Easton. The Prowlers won 2-1. They will play the Northeast Storm on Friday at Chiller Easton.

AT A GLANCE: Coach: Joe Tonello, first season Next game: Friday at Chiller at Easton vs. Hilliard Key players: Tyler Cole, Jeremiah Holland, Adam McGrath, Jake Miller and Sean Straker

In its first 10 seasons, the PRPC club hockey team earned four regular-season league titles, reached the state tournament all four years since it began and reached the state final four once.

The Prowlers have maintained that success under the leadership of three coaches, each of whom had overall records of better than .500, and they'll look to continue the tradition under a new regime this winter.

Joe Tonello, who coached the Dublin Scioto High School team from 2002-2007, is taking over after Jay C. Catherine stepped down following two seasons to spend more time with his family. Tonello admits that it has taken some time for players to adjust to his style of play, but he said he feels good about the direction the team is headed after a couple weeks of regular season play.

"We're getting to know each other, and that learning curve is to be expected," Tonello said. "And that transition is going much smoother now than when we began."

The Prowlers, who opened 3-2-2 overall including 2-1-1 in the Greater Columbus High School Club Hockey League, will play Friday at the Chiller Easton against Hilliard.

Last season, the Prowlers finished 22-9-5 overall and reached the Buckeye Cup state tournament for the fourth season in a row.

The Prowlers dropped their first two games at the Buckeye Cup as Athens went on to win the title, becoming the first team from the GCHSCHL to do so.

The Prowlers captured their fourth regular-season league title in five seasons, going 17-3-4 with 38 points. They could not defend their title in the Blue Jackets Cup, however, going 0-2 in the tournament.

Tonello, although he is new to the program, said he understands the expectations that the Prowlers have developed over the past 10 seasons.

"PRPC, the last 10 years, they've always been at the top or in the running," Tonello said. "The consistency, or the level of excellence, I want to maintain that. Not necessarily pressure, but there are a lot of expectations for the team to still be there. That's our goal, to maintain that level of excellence."

The Prowlers lost eight graduates, five of whom who were on the varsity for at least three seasons, but they do return a substantial number of key players, including one of the program's best all-time players, senior Adam McGrath. Last year he led the team in goals (58) and assists (21) and now ranks second in career points with 170, behind 2004 graduate T.J. Hess (187).

McGrath, a forward, was selected by teammates as one of two captains, along with senior center forward Tyler Cole.

Cole is a third-year varsity player and had eight goals and seven assists last season, and he was also one of the team's top face-off men.

Tonello said he also expects big contributions from two sophomores, Jake Miller and Sean Straker, both returning varsity players. Miller is a "shifty playmaker" at forward and had 12 goals and 11 assists last season. Straker will anchor the defense but should contribute on the offensive end as well.

In goal, junior Jeremiah Holland returns after leading the league with a 2.38 goals-against average last season.

Holland will have to carry even more of the load this year since backup Dan Smith is out for the season with an injury. Sophomore Erik Heinmiller has been moved up from the junior varsity to back up Holland.

The Prowlers have made some changes to their offensive scheme, using what Cole called a "cycle" approach that is more structured than in the past. Cole said the key for the Prowlers right now is to keep things smart and simple on both ends of the ice.

"Just keep it simple and don't try to overwork yourself," Cole said. "Know who you've got, stay on him, and then when you have the puck, look and make sure you know who it's going to and make smart decisions. Don't over-complicate it by making a whole bunch of different plays. Use what we have, our team skills and strengths and what each of us can do."