By all accounts, Jacob Warner and La Salle College High School have been a good fit.
Warner, senior, is in his first season at the varsity level. He was originally listed on the roster as a defenseman but Coach Wally Muehlbronner moved him up front. Warner has responded with two goals and an assist through the Explorers’ first three APAC games, including the winning goal in his team’s 3-2 win over Malvern Prep on Thanksgiving Eve.
Muehlbronner commends Warner on his work ethic and willingness to learn.
“He’s just been a sponge in practice,” Muelhbronner said. “He wants to learn, wants to do well, and works really, really hard. He’s done a good job and he’s earning his ice time.”
Muehlbronner is quick to point out Warner’s willingness to step in wherever he’s needed.
“He’s had that attitude of ‘Whatever it takes, wherever he’s going to be able to play’” he said. “He wants to be on the team and and play; that’s where he can help us the most.”
A native of suburban Chicago, Warner was first exposed to La Salle when his family moved to the Philadelphia area prior to him starting seventh grade.
“We were looking for schools in the area,” he said. “My mom grew up around here and she went to [Mount St. Joseph] so she knew about La Salle and St. Joe’s.
“So, I came here seventh grade; I toured La Salle and I really liked it. I came back, I toured it again to see what it was like. I had a great time there, a great experience. I really liked the school, I felt it had a lot to offer for me.
“I wanted to play hockey at La Salle because I knew how solid their program was but I think just going in the school building it felt like a really good learning environment for me, for me at least, where I could thrive.”
Jacob Warner (Rick Woelfel photo)
Warner strives to strike the proper balance between academics and hockey but admittedly finds it difficult on game days.
“It’s tough, especially when you’re starting off the season,” he said. “Then when you get to playoffs there’s a different type of buzz around the school for the team.
“But, I think it’s mainly in school, you want to be thinking about that game, you don’t want to completely take your mind off it but it’s easy to let your mind roam. For me at least, I try to stay dialed in; from 8:00-2:40 I’m dialed in on school. if we have a game right after that when that bell rings at 2:40 my mind just shifts and I’m on that game.”
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