Late March 2025 marked a significant transition for Ethan Edwards. After finishing his college hockey career with the University of Michigan, Edwards signed an entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils and joined the Utica Comets for a 10-game stint to close out the season.
Despite having already started his professional journey, Edwards returned to Michigan to officially graduate with a degree in Sport Management. “I finally got my graduation done,” Edwards said. “It was a lot of fun. My closest buddy in my class, by the end of our four years, it was just the two of us left in our class, and he was in Laval (playing with the Rocket), so he couldn’t come to graduation because of the playoffs. So it was really just me, but a few of the fifth years joined me to give me some support. I was appreciative of that. So, I got to walk the stage. It was great.”
Edwards reflected on closing one chapter and opening another as he moved from college life into professional hockey. His time with Utica gave him early exposure to professional routines and expectations ahead of his first full pro season.
“I loved my time in Utica,” Edwards said of his month-long experience. “It was really valuable for me and really a bit of a confidence booster to be able to go in there and play my game. It felt good to get out there; it’s such a good crew, and such good guys. The coaching staff was unbelievable. So I definitely got kind of a little taste of the pro schedule and the pro lifestyle. So, I think that gives me a little bit of a heads up for this, what’s to come here.”
He noted differences between college hockey and professional play, especially regarding physicality and forechecking pressure from opponents.
“I think the biggest thing was just, it’s kind of cliche to say, but just bigger, faster, stronger,” Edwards said. “The game speed, I would say, didn’t change a whole lot, even sometimes it’s more controlled and kind of slows down at times. But I would just say that guys individually are maybe a little quicker on the forecheck or a little harder to get out of the corner with. And there are just little things like that.
“It was just good for me to see,” he continued. “I think an area that I focused on this summer, because of my time in Utica, was like breakouts, when guys are chipping pucks in, I think it’s their forechecks that are a little bit harder than the college level. Breaking pucks out clean is something I want to continue to get better at.”
During the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo—an event where young players compete before NHL training camps—Edwards served as one of three alternate captains alongside Seamus Casey and Shane Lachance.
“Being a little bit of an older guy, I’m leading by example a little bit,” Edwards said about his leadership role at the event. “I think it kind of goes with my character. I’m not a guy who’s afraid to speak up in the locker room. I’m excited.”
With rookie camp turning into main camp soon after summer’s end—a period he’s looked forward to since being drafted by New Jersey in 2020—Edwards prepared by arriving early for captain skates at Prudential Center with other prospects and returning veterans.
“Really excited,” he said about skating alongside NHL players before camp opened officially. “Just even skating with a few of the (NHL) guys this past week, it’s been cool to see, a little bit starstruck too. But to see the ability and dedication they put into the game each and every day, it’s pretty cool.”
As training camp begins for New Jersey’s prospects—including those aiming for spots on either the Devils’ roster or their AHL affiliate—the focus remains on adaptation rather than immediate results.
“I mean once you’re here you’re here,” Edwards said about approaching his first NHL training camp without overthinking roster decisions or outcomes: “You can’t really look at rosters too much…I think you just gotta kind have best camp you can…Obviously goal is make that NHL roster but I’m just coming camp Day One work hard as can see what happens.”
