HUMBOLDT — Reagan Poncelet and the Briercrest College men’s hockey team have returned to the ice in a big way.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the team from competing last season. This campaign Poncelet, a Humboldt product, has helped his Caronport-based school squad qualify for the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference playoffs for the first time in many years. The son of Rick and Maureen Poncelet has played a big role as one of the Clippers’ top points producers and a leader.
“I have enjoyed just being back in a season with a group of guys with a common goal in a full season. Developing and having a competitive fire where we are growing as a team as well as individuals,” Poncelet said. “A new season always breeds new opportunities as a teammate, leader, player, and person. Having games this year is a big plus compared to last year. We have a great group of guys led by coaches who have hearts for us. I enjoy the highs and lows that have happened in the season. You need those to grow in all aspects of the game and life.”
Poncelet was tied for second on the Clippers in scoring, as of Sunday, with 10 points in 16 games. In goals, he was tied for third on the club with four. Briercrest College head coach Brad Cole said the forward’s strengths are his hockey IQ and his shot. As well, the 22-year-old former Humboldt Bronco is part of the Clippers’ leadership team.
“He has the ability to relate to all of his teammates and has a compassionate heart,” Cole said. “He is usually one of the first guys to welcome in a new player and make them feel comfortable.”
Growing up, Poncelet developed his game in Humboldt. He played for his hometown Broncos U18 AA squad before a season with the AAA Saskatoon Blazers. Poncelet split the 2017-18 campaign between the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Humboldt Broncos and the Junior B Delisle Chiefs of the Prairie Junior Hockey League. He played the next season in Humboldt before heading to Briercrest College.
Now in his third year enrolled at the school, Poncelet said he has grown on and off the ice this season. Regarding hockey, he said he is learning what it takes to reach his full potential and play to the best of his ability.
“I have taken steps in growing mentally through adversity,” Poncelet said. “When things aren’t always going picture perfect, you need to adapt and find ways to be effective every day. Finding that joy on the ice has been crucial as well. When you are having fun and are able to just play free, that’s when I believe that you are able to be at your best.”
As well, the married 22-year-old said he has matured and grown as a leader off the ice.
“Being able to be a veteran presence who has played in the league, just to show younger players some of the things that I have been able to pick up … whether that is mentally staying positive amongst the adversity guys have faced. Maturity wise, just growing with my wife Jordyn teaches you the importance of relationships with people.”
Poncelet plans to have a career in physical education. He is currently studying psychology and plans to pursue an after degree in physical education.
“Physical education interests me because of the influence that physical activity and sports can have on one’s life,” Poncelet said. “It’s not a secret that our society as a whole is becoming more sedentary. To motivate and teach people that physical education is important in our life. We want to be well rounded in all aspects of life so physical components are important in our life. Not everyone that goes through a PE class will enjoy sports and that’s okay. But to have a healthy mind, body, and spirit is what we should all be striving for. So, giving the knowledge that I know from experiences and life, I believe that there can be a major impact in people's lives.”
Already Poncelet is investing in the lives of young people. He runs a small group for high school hockey players.
“We dive into what life is like as they become more independent,” Poncelet said. “That includes everything mind, body, spirit, school, hockey, etc. These younger players I believe look up to us older players as role models in a sense. They all want to achieve playing hockey at a high level, so they are intrigued on what all goes into that from a whole life perspective.”
Whether it is academics, hockey, or anything else, he said his parents “have always been there in supporting my desires and aspirations in life.”
“They want me to go wherever I want to with hockey,” Poncelet said. “I would like to play pro hockey in Europe once my time at Briercrest is done. They have supported that decision. That can be scary for a lot of parents when their kid wants to go halfway across the globe to play a game that we played as kids. On the education side, they never had the opportunity to go themselves but have stressed the importance of education not just for now but in the future as well. No matter what I do or where I go, they just want to see me happy and just putting in a full effort for whatever my heart desires.”
