When freshman forward Paul Warriner came to Ohio from Blenheim, Ontario, he hoped to make a defensive impact on a team that went to last year's American Collegiate Hockey Association's national championship game.
But it is Warriner's impressive offensive numbers (eight points on five goals and three assists) that have Ohio coaches calling him the biggest surprise of a strong freshman class.
We brought him in as a defensive forward
coach Dan Morris said. And he's made adjustments and scored a lot of goals for us. He knows what he's doing and we'll take the offensive side of his game any day.
Warriner, who played junior hockey in Canada, is a 21-year-old freshman at Ohio. His age, along with his extensive career, has been a big factor in his immediate impact on the team.
He's very mature Morris said. And he is a good student. With that in mind
school stuff doesn't weigh on him the way that it does some of the other freshmen. He's poised
and he's been out of high school playing competitive hockey for a few years now.
After the national championship game last year, the team brought back 21 players, but no one knew how they would mold with the 12 freshmen. While the team has suffered through some growing pains early in the season, forward Matt Gallagher said Warriner and the freshmen are beginning to play a pivotal role.
It's a spark for the whole team when a young guy plays well
Gallagher said. Warriner displays the kind of leadership you look for in the young guys. It's good to see him step up so we know we can rely on him in big scoring situations.
Warriner still thinks of himself as a defensive player, despite his offensive fireworks.
I like to play more of a defensive forward
Warriner said. I usually lay back and let the other guys score. But in this system I have had a bit more freedom to sort of run and gun
and the offensive game has come pretty naturally.
With injuries to key veteran players like Frank Kubas and Joe Branco this season, many of the freshmen haven't had time to fully pay their dues. No freshman has faced more heat than Warriner.
While Warriner is tied with Grady Clingan for the most points by a freshman, his numbers speak even more volumes as he plays in a line with Zac Hernandez and Kurt Miller. Their line is the highest scoring on the team and Miller is second on the team in scoring.
He's been a key guy for us all year
assistant coach Ryan Walicki said. He has developed as a leader in both the locker room and on the ice. He has the leadership abilities to become a captain of this team someday.
17
