Ethan Edwards
2019-20 Team: Spruce Grove Saints
Date of Birth: June 6, 2002
Place of Birth: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Ht: 5-foot-10 Wt: 165 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: D
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2020 first-year eligible
Rankings
- NHL Central Scouting: 77th (Amongst NA skaters)
- The Hockey Writers (Fisher): 140th
- Future Considerations: 97th
- McKeen’s Hockey: 122nd
While the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) may not be well known amongst causal hockey fans, it can still produce NHL talent. Ethan Edwards, a native of Grande Prairie, Alberta, is another one of those players that could be making some serious noise down the road.
Edwards spent this past season playing for the Spruce Grove Saints where he tallied nine goals and added 24 assists for 33 points in 50 games. Standing at 5-foot-10, he is amongst a new era of puck-moving defensemen who can make a difference at both ends of the ice.
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Edwards loves to jump into the rush and showed he can make a difference for his team on the offensive side of the puck. He has a great shot and can pick where he wants to place it. He is great at creating time and space for his teammates and can set them up in the slot.
Edwards is also more than capable of handling his own in the defensive zone. He is good at clearing the front of his net of any danger and uses his speed to get back if the puck transitions the other way. He plays with an active stick and can break up passing lanes when given the chance to do so. While he will need a few more years to develop and round out his overall game, he has the chance to be a difference maker for an organization that takes a chance on him.
Other THW Profiles
Quotables
“Speedy undersized defender with excellent four way edging and high end puck skills and decision-making capabilities. Firmly carries pucks out with head up in transition, and will fight off the opposing teams stick checks along the way. Has a quick stick defensively. Will funnel pucks towards the net offensively and has a good wrist shot. Putting on weight /strength and may add an inch or two might improve his status. Developmental prospect with a high ceiling for success or failure. Committed to the University of Michigan for 2021.” – Bill Placzek/DraftSite
“Edwards is a good stickhandler. He can retrieve pucks in his own end of the ice, avoid forecheckers and move the puck out of his end. He can also carry the puck through the neutral zone and lead the rush. Edwards also makes a good first pass to start the transition game. He is smart in picking his spots to join the rush or to pinch in at the blue line. Edwards is poised with the puck at the blue line. His strong skating and lateral movement help him to open up passing lanes and he has the vision to set up teammates with offensive chances.” – Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey
Ethan Edwards – NHL Draft Projection
Currently ranked 77th amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, I predict that he goes right around where they have him ranked. Edwards has a ton of potential and could be a great pick for a team if he is still available in the fifth round. I predict he goes somewhere around the late fourth or early fifth round come draft day.
Strengths
- Skating
- Strong shot
- Vision
Under Construction – Improvements to Make
- Needs to add on more weight to handle bigger opponents
NHL Potential
Edwards has the chance to be a really solid pick for a team. He consistently creates chances on the ice and knows when to drop back. If he were to properly develop, I could see him becoming a team’s third or fourth defenseman. He knows how to run a power play and could get some time in the NHL down the line.
Risk/Reward Analysis
Risk – 3/5, Reward – 4/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offense – 8/10, Defense – 7/10
Awards/Achievements
In 2017-18, while playing for Northern Alberta Elite 15s in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL), he and his teammates were named CSSHL U16 Champions. In 2018-19, while playing for Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep of the CSSHL, he and his teammates were crowned CSSHL U18 Champions. In 2019-20, he was named to the AJHL (North) All-Rookie Team.
