Devils Prospects Open Tournament Against Jackets | PREVIEW

NEW JERSEY DEVILS vs. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

New Jersey Devils prospects open the 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, NY against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET.

You can watch on the team's official website or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

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Read below for your game preview and pre-game story below.

MORNING SKATE RECAP

BUFFALO, NY - The Devils prospects took the ice for morning skate at Buffalo’s LECOM Harborcenter ahead of opening the 2025 Prospects Challenge tonight against Columbus.

The Devils used the following workflow…

The Devils used a power-play setup featuring Casey, Melovsky, Squires, Lachance and Hameenaho.

Let's Get It Started

Prospects Challenge is always the unofficial official start to the season. And for Utica head coach Ryan Parent, it’s his first step before taking the helm for a full campaign in the AHL.

“I’m excited to get going,” he said. “We had a long break this summer to think about it. It’s a tournament I’ve been to the past few years. It’s enjoyable to see the new faces we haven’t seen and at the same time seeing the guys that are returning, seeing how their summer’s went, how they’ve developed and now help them take this step to the next level.”

With a single morning skate before playing and no real intensive structure to the team’s play, Parent discussed the difficulties of judging the on-ice product.

“We’re talking about effort, how hard guys are working, how hard are they competing on second efforts,” he said. “And there’s a little bit of team buy-in, maybe the few system things we throw at them, who’s able to catch on and play with a little bit structure. Other guys may take more time. It’s an easy way that we can evaluate the new guys.”

Defenseman Seamus Casey participated in last year’s Challenge and it helped spring him into an NHL roster spot to start the season. He and others will get a chance to do the same this time around.

“It’s a good step for our guys heading into main camp, to get into game shape,” Parent said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for them to be playing competitive hockey before getting into camp.”

Newcomer

Devils defenseman Ethan Edwards will be making his Prospects Challenge debut tonight. The 23-year-old blueliner is on the older side of the prospects, but after playing college hockey the past four years, he’s finally able to join the rest of the prospects for the yearly tournament.

“I’m really excited to finally wrap up in Michigan and get things going,” Edwards said. “I’m really excited for the opportunity.”

The team’s fourth-round draft pick (120^th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft played last year in his senior season with Michigan before a 10-game showing with Utica of the American Hockey League to start his pro career.

“I just tried to take everything I learned from those 10 games, pick up a couple things from each every one of those guys in Utica as well as the coaching staff,” Edwards said. “I think there were a few things to focus on this summer. I think I did a good job of that so hopefully I can showcase that.”

Edwards was paired with former Michigan teammate Seamus Casey during line rushes.

“I can’t get rid of him. He’s my roommate, he’s my stallmate and now we’re D partners again,” Edwards joked. “We had a couple weeks together in Michigan this offseason. We had some fun. Now it’s time to dial it in and go have some fun on the ice.”

Parent worked with Edwards during his 10 games in Utica and excited to see how much he's grown over the summer.

"I think it’s great when they’re able to come at the end of the season and play, it sets up their next year," Parent said. "I think he did a great job coming in. He’s learning a lot. I’m excited to see a player like him come in with that experience come in and compete for a job in training camp."

THE SCOOP

The Devils prospects head to Buffalo for the annual installment of the Prospects Challenge. They have games lined up against Columbus (Thursday, 7 p.m.), Buffalo (Friday, 7 p.m.) and Boston (Sunday, 12 p.m.).

New Jersey is icing a 24-man roster with 14 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies. That includes second-round picks Seamus Casey and Lenni Hameenaho.

Casey, Ethan Edwards and Shane Lachance have been alternate captains for the Challenge. Ryan Parent, head coach of the Utica Comets – the Devils’ American Hockey League affiliate, will coach the prospects.

The Jackets will have 23 players in camp, including eight players selected in the NHL Draft. They have two second-round picks from 2024 participating in defenseman Charlie Elick (34^th overall) and goalie Evan Gardner (60^th).

Trent Vogelhuber, head coach of the Cleveland Monsters, will handle the coaching duties for the Jackets.

PROSPECTS TO WATCH

Devils - D Ethan Edwards

The Devils' fourth-round pick (120th overall) in 2020 will make his Prospects Challenge debut. The gifted blueliner starred for four seasons at the University of Michigan before jumping to the AHL late last season. The 5-foot-10, 176-pounder had five goals, 16 assists and 21 points in 36 games during his season season. He added three assists/points in 10 games with Utica.

Blue Jackets - G Evan Gardner

The Jackets selected the 6-foot, 175-pound netminder in the second round of 2024. The 19-year-old made his professional hockey debut last season, appearing in one game for the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. Gardner played most of last season with Saskatoon of the Western Hockey League, posting a 23-13-5 record with a 2.82 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.