Saturday July 11th, 2020: Quinte West, ON - Ethan Cardwell has put on a lot of sweaters in his two years of junior hockey. From his five games with the Wellington Dukes in his last full AAA season (Clarington Toros), to several weeks with the Pickering Panthers, and about half a season with the Trenton Golden Hawks, the 2nd round OHL pick seemed destined for a long visit to the Ontario Hockey League. 

Cardwell was selected 33rd overall in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection by the Saginaw Spirit.  Cardwell says, “the coaching staff in Saginaw thought I needed some work and a deal was struck for me to go to Trenton.  My focus was to develop and play against bigger players.  I knew the area, having played many times against the Quinte Red Devils and with Wellington, so going to the “Dunc” seemed like the right move.”

“My hands and vision are strong, and I know how to skate, but my goal was making the Ontario Hockey League.  I had to stop getting pushed around,” he added.  “The Golden Hawks prepared me for the jump to the O”.

“Everything about the Trenton Golden Hawks was top notch, from the ownership and billets, to the volunteers, the arena, the town, and most of all the fans.  You do not get the support in the big city like Trenton gets.”

In the Ontario Hockey League, Cardwell’s development has continued.  To end 2018-19, Cardwell went to Saginaw, where he picked up five goals in 15 games.  In 2019-20 he blossomed.  He split his time between the high-flying Spirit, and the Barrie Colts, where he was traded in the middle of the year.  The deal included a 16-year-old teammate and a number of picks, for former first overall pick Ryan Suzuki (1st Rounder NHL pick of Carolina).  Winding up the campaign, Cardwell grabbed 23 goals and 47 points (before the season ended early due to the pandemic).

NHL teams have their eyes on Cardwell. “I have talked to most of the teams now and it is pretty exciting.  To think just over two years ago I was playing AAA and now I am talking to NHL clubs, it is surreal.  The time blinks before your eyes.”

When asked who has been someone that has helped him a lot during his journey (outside of his family), he said his Saginaw billet brother.  Cole Coskey, who is an NHL draft pick of the NY Islanders, lived with Cardwell.  “Coskey is 21, and I credit him with making me into the player I am today.”

If the draft goes in order, which it never does, Cardwell would be selected in the middle rounds of the (3-6).  We asked which team he would want to play for, but Cardwell kept his cards close to the chest.  “I will be honoured to be drafted anywhere.  That being said, my grandfather Steve Cardwell played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and my favourite player is Sidney Crosby, but any team would be amazing.”  His father Justin played pro hockey in several leagues (including the AHL), while his uncle Matt did the same.

No date has been finalized for this years NHL draft; however, it is tentatively set for October 9th & 10th.