HOLDEN — At 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds, Wachusett Regional High School’s ice hockey assistant captain Parker Meyer may not strike team supporters and opponents as one of the more imposing players on the ice, but don’t let first appearances fool you.
Meyer, a junior from Holden, may not tower over his opponents, but he combines speed with toughness to compensate for size, rather effectively. In particular, speed has been his calling card, and that has been the primary reason why he centers for the Mountaineer skaters. His quickness and determination on the ice render him a clear fan favorite.
“My coach back in youth hockey put me at center because I was one of the fastest players,” Meyer said in a recent interview. “Being able to be everywhere on the ice helped me out a lot. It’s tough. You have to grind it out out there. I have to stay in shape in the offseason to compete with the other guys.
“I have a deep love for the game. My whole family has been playing, so being able to do what they’ve been doing was special.”
“Parker was second on our team in scoring last year, with 6 goals and 10 assists for 16 points,” said WRHS varsity ice hockey head coach Matt Lane. “Based on his hustle and hard work, he was named one of our assistant captains for this year’s team. He is slightly undersized, but he makes up for that with his determination and physical play on the ice.”
Ice hockey is a sport that clearly is in his blood. His commitment to the game is nearly year-round, with few breaks. Such dedication to the grinding pace of hockey had not gone unnoticed by Lane and the rest of the squad’s coaching staff.
“I play for a travel team heading up to the high school season, then doing summer leagues and working out for the summer. It’s very much a year-round commitment,” Meyer said. “As a captain, I try to keep the younger kids on track and tell them the things that will help them improve.
“I get really excited when I first get out on the ice. Big games are my favorite. As the game goes on, I need to make sure I’m doing everything to support my team by making sure the energy is right.”
Meyer and teammates had compiled a 7-4 record as of this writing, and were not far from a berth in the playoffs. The goal is to be continuing play in the month of March and recognizing that it’s not all about oneself, but a bigger element as a Wachusett Mountaineer.
“When you put on that Wachusett jersey, you’re not playing for yourself” Meyer acknowledged. “You’re playing for the whole school and the Wachusett district and your teammates.”
