Over the past five seasons, I have come to realize that some of my favorite stories and interviews from the New Jersey Devils locker room have little to do with hockey itself. More often than not, it is the unexpected stories—the ones that go beyond “What are the keys to beating [insert opposing team name here]?”—that stay with me the longest.
With that in mind, I am introducing a new series called “Tales from the Tunnel,” where I will share quick anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories that emerge from the tunnels and hidden corners of Prudential Center.
Although today's tale does not come from Newark, it was told outside the visiting locker room at Amica Mutual Pavilion, where Utica Comets defenseman Ethan Edwards was preparing for another day of work.
With a smattering of fans inside the arena, Edwards emerged from the tunnel about an hour before puck drop in a gray hoodie with a matching cap. Of course, he took time to sign for fans in University of Michigan apparel before popping in his AirPods and settling down on the visitors’ bench.
He put his music on shuffle and with his hockey stick in hand, he settled into his routine, preparing his mind and body for the work ahead.
But Edwards’ interest in taking care of himself extends well beyond the hours he spends at the rink. During the downtime afforded by the American Hockey League (AHL) schedule, he has found himself immersed in another kind of preparation — researching recovery, nutrition, and wellness for a passion project of his own.
That project is Natural Athlete Co., a bi-weekly newsletter Edwards created for athletes.
“Honestly, a little bit of a passion of mine is taking care of myself, and it is not just sharing what I know, but it is more of a learning process for myself as well,” Edwards told The Hockey News. “Doing the research myself so I know what I am getting myself into.”
A health and wellness newsletter curated to athletes, created by an athlete with a focus on recovery and nutrition.
“A few years ago, a single experience with a natural anti-inflammatory changed how I think about recovery,” Edwards wrote. “I started pulling research on everything I could find.
“I'm not a scientist or a nutritionist. I'm an athlete who got tired of guessing and started looking things up. How I recover and what I put in my body matters — it's my job. This newsletter is where I share what I find.”
There is no team behind Natural Athlete Co. Just Edwards, who graduated from the University of Michigan with a sports management degree.
The AHL schedule offers players downtime that simply does not exist in the NHL. Last season, the 5-foot-10 defenseman found a way to successfully utilize that time away from the rink.
“Especially with our travel schedule, we are always home for a Sunday off, so we get some time to kind of fill, and that is what I decided to do with my time,” he shared.
For Edwards, Natural Athlete Co. remains a passion project. Still, it offers a glimpse into the person behind the hockey player — curious, intentional, and always looking for ways to improve. In a schedule built around practices, travel and games, he has found a way to turn the hours in between into something of his own.
"We will see how it goes."
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