Jackson Edward: the Man with Two First Names

Jackson Edward, is an intriguing young defenseman from Newmarket, Ontario. He has drawn attention with his physical style of play, skill set, the ability to play in all situations and both sides of the ice. Drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 7th round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Edward’s journey to the NHL has been moved along by a willingness to absorb whatever coaches are teaching, dedication and a willingness to work hard to improve his game.

Early Years and Junior Hockey

Born on February 27, 2004, Edward began his hockey journey for the York Simcoe Express U16 AAA team, where he showcased his talent by recording 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points in 33 games. His performance caught the attention of the London Knights, who selected him 22nd overall in the 2020 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020-21 OHL season, preventing Edward from playing organized hockey (as it did for many others). However, he used this time to train and develop his skills, working with performance and strength and conditioning coach Peter Renzetti and (London Knights) defense coach Dylan Hunter. When the OHL season resumed in 2021-22, Edward played 54 games for the Knights, recording 6 assists.

Path to the NHL

Edward’s hard work and dedication paid off when the Boston Bruins selected him with the 200th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He continued to develop his game with the London Knights before signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins on October 25, 2023 (Note: the contract “slid” in 2023-24 and this is the first year of his ELC). Edward’s journey to the NHL has been a testament to his commitment to improving his game.

Scouting Report

Physical Attributes and Style of Play

Jackson Edward stands at 6’2″ and 194 pounds, giving him a solid physical presence on the ice. His size and strength are key to his game, allowing him to play a physical and aggressive style. Edward is known for his tough play at his blue line, where he excellent at stopping the opponent in their tracks. His physicality is a significant asset, making him a formidable opponent for forwards trying to penetrate the defensive zone. He also makes the opposition pay the price in front of his goaltender.

Skating and Mobility

Edward’s mobility is one of his attributes. He has a smooth skating stride, very good lateral mobility, very good crossovers and his pivots from forward to backwards skating are flawless. His ability to skate towards and escape from forechecking pressure and then accelerate to start the breakout is impressive. This mobility allows him to transition quickly from defense to offense, making him a valuable asset in both zones.

Hockey IQ and Decision-Making

Edward’s hockey IQ is another notable aspect of his game. He understands positioning and situational awareness. His decision-making under pressure is very good, as he often makes positive plays when given space to receive the puck. Edward’s anticipation is excellent which enables him to break up plays in the defensive zone or contributing to the offense.

Offensive Skills

While Edward’s offensive statistics may not jump off the page, he has some intriguing skills that could translate to the NHL level. He is active laterally at the offensive blueline and creating shooting or passing lanes. He has an accurate shot, and he can generate scoring opportunities for his teammates with well-timed passes. There is work to be done, but the potential is there.

Areas for Improvement

Like any young player, Edward has areas of his game that he can continue to improve on. Consistency in his offensive production is at the top of that list. While his physical play is a strength, he must ensure that he maintains discipline and avoids unnecessary penalties which has been an issue to this point. It appears that Adam McQuaid has worked with him in this area and he is channeling his energy in other areas. Continued development in these areas will help him become a more well-rounded defenseman.

Conclusion

Jackson Edward’s scouting report highlights his physicality, mobility, hockey IQ, and potential offensive skills. As he continues to develop and gain experience, there is no doubt that he has the tools to become an NHL player.

In case you missed it, here are the players we previously looked at: Michael DiPietro; Georgii Merkulov; Brett Harrison; Fabian Lysell; Frederic Brunet; Trevor Kuntar; Riley Duran. John Farinacci.