Hunter Schwartz (left) and Caleb Pockrant (right) are among 160 Saskatchewan hockey players being recognized for their prowess on the ice. (submitted images/Gina Schwartz & Amanda Pockrant)

By Elliott Knopp

SaskFirst U15 Top 160

Meadow Lake hockey standouts ranked among best in Saskatchewan

Dec 10, 2021 | 2:40 PM

Two of Meadow Lake’s exceptional young athletes are being ranked among some of the top hockey players in Saskatchewan.

Earlier this week, Caleb Pockrant and Hunter Schwartz were announced to the SaskFirst U15 Top 160 team for the North region.

Pockrant is a forward playing his first year in U15 AA as a member of the Battlefords North Stars. The 14-year-old stands at five-foot-10 weighing nearly 143 pounds, and is known for his continual efforts to develop his game, according to Coach Regan Beck.

“He’s gotten bigger and stronger this year, and Caleb’s best attribute has always been his hard work,” he said.

“His skill level has always been really good too, but his work ethic and the added size is a really nice combination that’s led to some success.”

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In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, Pockrant said he was caught off guard with the announcement that he would be taking his game to compete with some of the most promising young players in the province.

“I thought it’s pretty cool. I didn’t expect to be here, but I’m pretty excited,” Pockrant said.

Fellow standout Hunter Schwartz is a defenceman who has shared experience playing in both Meadow Lake and the Battlefords, like Pockrant. He is described as an offensive-minded defenceman who reads the ice well and displays gifted skating ability.

He said being recognized as one of the best young athletes gave him enhanced confidence in his abilities and development.

“To be able to make the top-160 in Saskatchewan is a big accomplishment,” he said.

“It’s different playing with new kids, but it’s good to get out there with them instead of playing with the same group all the time. All of the kids are pretty talented, there aren’t any weak players.”

Coach Beck said being added to this squad of talented prospects was considered to be the next step in his playing career as Schwartz is known for being a gifted defenceman with seemingly natural ability.

The players continue a trend of Meadow Lake hockey players being called up to play with advanced competition. On Thursday, Meadow Lake’s Dawson Gerwing was drafted 48th overall by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

Beck said the recent spotlight being shined on Meadow Lake’s young talents speaks to the athletic prowess of the youth in the community and how they continue to develop with assistance from local programs.

“We’re very happy to see these guys progressing and doing well,” he said.

“I think it’s also a big credit to the coaching staff of all of these kids and the program that we’ve built that is able to produce players of this caliber.”

Both Schwartz and Pockrant are expected to hit the ice in Regina, Sask. from Dec. 28 to 30 for the Top 160 tournament.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp