Tom Pokorney never expected to play forward early in the season.
The fifth-year senior came into the season planning to stay on defense this season and help the freshmen get accustomed to the level of play present in college hockey.
That plan went out the window after Blake Rossi and Sam Turner adapted faster than expected. Coach Cole Bell saw that as an opportunity to give Pokorney more freedom on the ice.
“Rossi and Turner were both hot out of the gate and showed they could handle the pace of play and make good decisions with the puck,” Bell said. “That let us put Pokorney where his skill set suits him best.”
Before the series with Toledo in October, Bell and Pokorney met and discussed where he would be most useful. Pokorney suggested moving to forward because of struggles with his defensive work earlier in the season.
He’s been there ever since.
The Ann Arbor, Michigan, native didn’t have a hard time adjusting. He played forward in high school, and transitioned to defense while playing for the Bay State Breakers in Kingston, Massachusetts. Even during his sophomore and junior years with the Bobcats, he alternated between offense and defense.
“He’s one of those guys who can play up and down the lineup and bring a lot to the table,” Bell said. “It wasn’t so much the goals but how he played. He’s able to rush the puck deep and rarely turns it over.”
Pokorney’s total points haven’t seen a dramatic uptick compared to last season. What changed was how he earned his points. At the end of the 2018-19 season, Pokorney had four goals and 11 assists. After moving to offense this season, he has nine goals and two assists.
Goals aren’t everything to Pokorney. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he considers himself as more of a power forward. He likes to create ice space and openings for the smaller players to make plays.
“It gives me the green light to go out and take chances I wouldn’t normally take on defense,” Pokorney said.
Although forward is where his skills shine, Pokorney has taken a backseat this season compared to other seniors. Last season, he was among the top defensemen for the Bobcats and regularly found himself in the first line. This season, he’s usually played in the second or third line.
While Pokorney wants more time on the ice, he doesn’t feel he’s being held back. Once the CSCHL and ACHA playoffs begin in March, Pokorney will be a valuable asset to Ohio. He’s a veteran two-way player who has more experience against the competition than anyone else on the Bobcats.
“As a defenseman, you’re like a quarterback and get a good look at the whole ice,” Pokorney said. “As a forward, you’ve got to have eyes in the back of your head. You need to be able to adjust and read the play.”
Bell has been impressed by what he’s seen from Pokorney this year. He’d heard stories about the senior’s reputation as a penalty magnet, but he was surprised by how his passion has converted into a commanding presence on the ice once he switched to a forward.
“There’s been games where he’s been our best player,” Bell said. “I think he’s a bigger part of the team than people give him credit for.”
