Devils Prospect Scores Huge Goal, Advances to NCAA Frozen Four

New Jersey Devils defense prospect Ethan Edwards scored a huge goal for the Michigan Wolverines in the first period of their tilt against their in-state rival, Michigan State.

While Michigan was trailing Michigan State 1-0 just about six minutes into the first period, Edwards joined the rush, received a pass in the slot, and ripped a one-timer past Detroit Red Wings top goaltending prospect Trey Augustine.

Edwards’ goal was just the boost the Wolverines needed to kickstart their road to victory, routing the Spartans in a 5-2 victory in which Edwards was a major contributor.

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

Typically, Edwards’ moment on Sunday in the NCAA Frozen Four tournament is taken by a different Michigan blue liner. Fellow Devils prospect and Wolverines top defenseman, Seamus Casey, was prepping for another potential run at a National Championship much like he did last season with Devils defenseman, Luke Hughes, among other top prospects.

However, Casey suffered an undisclosed injury in the Wolverines’ tilt with North Dakota on Friday. As a result, the Devils’ top prospect was unavailable for the tournament final and Edwards slotted in for the dazzling defenseman.

Casey’s return to the Wolverines is undetermined.

Enter Edwards who stepped up in a huge moment for the Wolverines. The 21-year-old defenseman is a former fourth-round selection, 120th overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He’s in his third season in the NCAA with the Wolverines, scoring three goals and 10 points in 20 contests this season.

Following his momentum swinging first-period goal, Edwards later chipped in a secondary assist on the Wolverins’ fifth and final goal of the game, turning in two points in the 5-2 victory over Michigan State, clinching the Maryland Heights Regional in the NCAA hockey tournament and moving onto the NCAA Frozen Four.

The on-ice Easter celebration for the Wolverines was spectacular. However, their toughest test is ahead, starting with the Wolverines facing the No. 1 overall seed Boston College on Thursday, April 11, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Whether Michigan will have to do that without Casey remains to be seen. If so, they’ll need more of this from Ethan Edwards in the best-on-best NCAA tournament.

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