The New Jersey Devils prospects will begin their participation in the 2025 Prospects Challenge with a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night in Buffalo, New York. The matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will be available to watch via streaming on the team’s official website, app, and Connected TV app. Fans can also listen to live coverage on the Devils Hockey Network.
The annual Prospects Challenge includes games against three teams: Columbus on Thursday, Buffalo on Friday at 7 p.m., and Boston on Sunday at noon. The Devils have brought a 24-man roster to Buffalo, consisting of 14 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goaltenders. Among those named as alternate captains for this tournament are Seamus Casey, Ethan Edwards, and Shane Lachance.
Ryan Parent, head coach of the Utica Comets—the American Hockey League affiliate of the Devils—will lead the team during this event.
On the opposing side, Columbus has a camp roster of 23 players featuring eight NHL Draft selections. This includes two second-round picks from 2024: defenseman Charlie Elick (34th overall) and goaltender Evan Gardner (60th). Coaching duties for Columbus will be handled by Trent Vogelhuber, who leads the Cleveland Monsters.
One player highlighted for New Jersey is defenseman Ethan Edwards. Selected in the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Devils, Edwards played four seasons at the University of Michigan before joining Utica late last season. He recorded five goals and sixteen assists in thirty-six games during his senior year at Michigan and added three assists over ten games with Utica.
For Columbus, goaltender Evan Gardner stands out as a prospect to watch. Chosen in the second round of this year’s draft, Gardner made his professional debut last season with one appearance for Cleveland in the AHL after spending most of his year with Saskatoon in the Western Hockey League. There he posted a record of twenty-three wins, thirteen losses and five overtime losses along with a goals-against average of 2.82 and a .911 save percentage.
Further updates including morning skate recaps and pre-game interviews are expected to be released prior to puck drop.
