From tearing it up in the OJHL, to gaining a full-time OHL role. How Dylan Edwards has worked his way up this season and stuck around in Erie since the end of the World Junior A Challenge.
Against the Flint Firebirds last night, Dylan Edwards scored his first career OHL hat trick as the Otters won 7-2. Now he has 7 goals through his first 8 games with Erie.
Dylan Edwards has been an empowering story this season.
The eighteen-year-old began this season in the OJHL (Tier II / Junior A) with the Toronto Patriots. As expected, Edwards dominated at this level.
In the 2022-2023 season, Edwards played 44 games with the Otters in the OHL but couldn't quite find a permanent spot. Starting in the OJHL this season certainly got his confidence as the "got-to" guy on his team.
About a month ago, Edwards was invited to represent Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge. This is a showcase for the top Junior A level players in Canada.
He was phenomenal in this tournament, putting up 10 points in 6 games. Edwards was one of the main reasons that his team made the finals against Canada West. This showcase was a real eye-opener for Edwards and a stage that he could shine upon.
Since returning from the World Jr. A Challenge in Nova Scotia, Edwards has gotten the well-deserved call up from the Erie Otters.
He has played 8 games since joining the Otters, and has an impressive seven goals through that span. Edwards has returned to the OHL on a mission, and his dominance was especially felt with a hat trick performance on Saturday night.
Edwards' pure skill is just too advanced for the Junior A level, and it is finally allowing him to succeed in major junior.
Though he is just 5-foot-8, his combination of speed and pure skill with the puck in his hands is high-end. He is especially dangerous off the rush and has the ability to beat defenders with his foot speed. He has high offensive zone awareness and the timing to come into the right spaces at the right times.
Edwards plays an electric, high-paced game that is just too good for the Tier II level. The Erie Otters have clearly made the right decision calling him up, and he has finally been able to find his footing in the OHL.