Battlefords Stars forward Dawson Gerwing was drafted by the Swift Current Broncos with the 48th overall selection in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft. (File photo/meadowlakeNOW staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Gerwing Drafted

Meadow Lake’s Dawson Gerwing drafted by Swift Current Broncos

Dec 9, 2021 | 5:48 PM

Another one of Meadow Lake’s most promising hockey prospects is making the leap and entering the Western Hockey League (WHL).

On Thursday, the Swift Current Broncos selected AAA Battlefords Stars forward Dawson Gerwing with the 48th overall pick in the third round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, Gerwing said he was watching the draft with his father when they saw his name displayed on the broadcast.

“It was a surreal feeling. It’s been my goal for the last few years, it was delayed because of COVID a few times, and it finally happened. It was awesome,” he shared.

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With the selection, the 15-year-old prospect is set to become the 22nd player from Meadow Lake to play in the WHL. He is also the second Meadow Lake prospect to play for the Swift Current Broncos.

While he’s enjoying the significant development in his playing career, Gerwing recognizes a new series of challenges lies ahead of him.

“Getting drafted is just the first step of many. You try to make the team the next year, or in the next few years anyway, and it’s just a really big step in the right direction.”

The 6’2” 201pound forward plays using his strength and physical presence to dominate along the boards and make plays in front of the net. As a member of the Battlefords Stars, Gerwing tallied 18 total points, seven goals and 11 assists through 22 games in the SMAAHL.

The newest member of the Broncos stated he can play any brand of hockey because of his skillset, which he believes will be a significant asset for his new team.

Broncos’ General Manager Chad Leslie said the prospect was highly-regarded by the scouting department, adding the team thinks Gerwing is a talent with high character who can generate success on offence and compete with consistency.

“We feel he’s a player that’s got some upside in regards to where he’s trending,” he said.

“He’s a guy that can score. He competes hard, he likes to be in those dirty areas, and he’s a guy that is always working on his game and very committed to getting better.”

Gerwing’s potential and current level of play are what makes him so enticing as a new member of the WHL. Regan Beck, a former coach to Gerwing, said the young athlete has a high-floor that makes him one of the draft’s safest prospects.

“They’re not getting a finished product by any stretch of the imagination,” he said.

“His skill level improves even more. He’s already fairly skilled, but we expect his skill level will improve for the next few years. He’s going to be doing some really good things.”

Gerwing is one of eight players drafted by the Broncos in this year’s draft, which was not completed at the time of publishing.

Plans to formally welcome Gerwing and the rest of the 2021 draft class to the Broncos organization have not been announced.

An earlier version of this article stated Gerwing was the first Meadow Lake prospect to play for Swift Current. However, the first was Steven Spencer in 2001-2002.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp