Ethan Edwards, the Devils’ fourth-round pick (120^th overall) selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, completed his junior season with the University of Michigan in 2023-24. A shoulder injury limited him to just 21 games played on the season, totaling three goals and 10 points. Still, Edwards scored a massive goal in the Frozen Four against rival Michigan State to lead the Wolverines to the NCAA Championship Game. Despite finishing runner-up in the tournament, it was a strong season from Edwards.

The 5-foot-10, 176-pound defenseman was among the numerous attendees at the Devils’ 2024 Development Camp. He shared his thoughts reflecting on the previous season, his injury, and what lies ahead.

Recapping his 2023-24 season with Michigan…

Recovering from my injury was a challenging process, but fortunately, I was able to overcome it. During the playoffs, I regained my form and hit my stride. Thankfully, our end-of-season surge enabled us to pull together as a team. We managed to reach the Frozen Four, which extended the number of games I could participate in, which was a pleasant outcome.

On the hardest part of returning from the injury…

Going without playing a game for nearly nine months was challenging. You start losing some of your routines, aspects of your game. The crucial part for me during the initial five to six weeks of my comeback was to reassemble everything.

On areas that he wants to improve…

The primary areas I need to refine involve bolstering my defensive game. I need to be comfortable with periods of inactivity during play and focus on neutralizing the opposition’s key players. These are my main priorities. My ability to play both offense and defense comes naturally, so taking the offensive is something I do instinctively. However, there are times when I need to exercise restraint and choose my opportunities carefully. One of my strengths, which has been well-received, is my agility on the ice. I need to keep leveraging this by continuing to skate dynamically and using my footwork to gain an edge. Above all, I must maintain an aggressive, competitive attitude and put in effort throughout the entire ice.

Ethan Edwards with a rip and we’re tied at 1-1! Duker and Hughes with the helpers pic.twitter.com/2jKxwazwtC

— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) March 31, 2024

On the frustration of dealing with a long-term injury…

You tend to feel better quite early when you have a shoulder injury. You might even feel ready to get back on the ice before the doctors give you clearance. The toughest part is accepting the fact that you can’t be out there helping your team. Our team went through several highs and lows in the first half of the season. Watching these from the sidelines without being able to contribute was extremely difficult. However, I am almost grateful for the experience. Injuries are a part of hockey. Hopefully, I won’t have to face another injury, but if it does happen, I believe I would be mentally prepared for it.

On his goals for the 2024-25 season…

The way my game improved and the impact I made at the end of the season has boosted my confidence. I aim to continue this momentum and further develop my skills in the next season.

On his personal goals for next season…

I am aware of my role and I am confident that I will be playing for more minutes next season. I am extremely enthusiastic about this and prepared for the opportunity.

On the summer’s Development Camp…

The intensity is extremely high and quite impressive. There are many formidable players, particularly in the D group. It will be exciting to observe next year. Nobody is breaching your net or reaching your goalie. The group is also wonderful off the field. We are establishing strong connections off-field. Even amongst the Europeans and Americans, who might face language barriers, we are overcoming these and forming a strong bond.