I have long been a fan of London Knights defenceman and Boston Bruins prospect Jackson Edward. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be critical when something happens that needs criticizing. And that is the point we are at.
In a game on January 20th where the London Knights were battling the Kitchener Rangers for first place, Edward skated along his blueline and looked as though he was going to throw when of his patented thundering body checks as the Rangers looked to enter the zone. Instead, he left his feet and caught Rangers rookie Luca Romano with an elbow to the head.
The OHL felt the hit was worthy of a two-game suspension. Many, including myself thought it should have been more. The Knights would go on to lose the next two games in a shootout, the only two blemishes in 16 games.
Edward returned to the lineup on February 2 in a 5-3 victory over the Erie Otters in what I called one of Edward’s best games of the season.
On February 4, the Knights faced the Owen Sound Attack and defeated them by a score of 4-3 in a shootout.
With Edward about two feet behind an Attack player in the slot, the Attack ripped a shot that went off the crossbar and came down on the goal line (as video review would determine). The Attack player skated behind the Knights’ net and to the right-wing boards. Edward immediately looked at the referee as the puck hit the ice and the man with the stripes signaled goal. It wasn’t until then that the Attack started celebrating.
Edward made a v-line for his opponent, hit him into the boards and started a melee. Surprisingly to everyone, no penalties were called on the play.
The worst was yet to come.
On February 4 the Knights faced the Guelph Storm. Just 9 seconds after the Storm had tied the game 2-2, Edward did not like a hit Ryan McGuire through against teammate Evan Van Gorp. McGuire was assessed a minor for a check to the head.
Yes, you have to admire Edward for coming to the aid of one of his teammates. McGuire stands 5’11” and 186 pounds. Edward stands 6’3” and 200 pounds. Instead of dropping the gloves and settling the score the right way, Edward decided a headbutt was in order. He was assessed a 5-minute major and now faces a minimum 2-game suspension for a headbutt. His most recent history may make it more.
I enjoy Edward’s mean streak as much as the next person. I like his willingness to stand up for his teammates. And I love that he’s a mean SOB. Edward hits like a truck and they are clean. There was no reason for him to leave his feet. He can handle just about anyone in the fisticuff department, so there is no need for a headbutt. And there is no reason to go after a player when no one on the ice except one referee thought had scored a goal.
Edward needs to learn not to cross the line. Do I think he will learn that in time?
He turns 20 later this month on February 27. And that means that he’s likely headed to the Providence Bruins to play next season, which in turn means quality time with Player Development Coordinator Adam McQuaid.
McQuaid will get him on the right track.
Dom - Hockey 