Edwardson ready to lead Falcons
Carson Edwardson’s hockey career has taken a bit of a detour.
The 19-year-old Niagara Falls native had hoped to make a career in major junior hockey, but after being released by the Oshawa Generals and Drummondville Voltigeurs, he has reset his priorities.
“I just decided home was the place to be and I’m going to start school so I figured I may as well stay home,” Edwardson said. “The dream is definitely not over. I’m going to try and play school hockey and try to do something out of that, but for now I’m going to be here.”
Edwardson joined the St. Catharines Falcons last season after being released by the Erie Otters and had hoped reboot his OHL career this season.
He went to camp with the Generals and then ended up in Drummondville.
“Nothing really worked out,” he said. “It was frustrating because they (Drummondville) called me out there thinking it was a for-sure thing. I was packed up and flew out there and then got into some games and then they had all their guys come back from NHL camps, more than they thought, and it was a number’s game at that point.”
At that point, Edwardson said he felt like he may be trying to force a square peg into a round hole.
“It was exactly like that. I had more things lined up by my agent and I just said I’m going to stay at home and play at home and try and help out here.
“It’s time to get life going eventually.”
Edwardson certainly proved he could be a force at the junior B level last season and has picked up right where he left off with six goals and 11 points in his first five games for the Falcons.
“Being here last year gave me a bit of a taste of what it’s about,” said Edwardson, who collected seven goals and 12 points in 60 games for the Otters over a year-and-a-half. “I know Frank (general manager Girhiny) has the connections to get into school to play hockey. Frank knows those guys and Brock watches our games so I’m hoping to get something out of that.”
Girhiny was thrilled Edwardson wanted to rejoin the Falcons.
“He’s a big strong player. The thing about Carson is if he’s playing the game the right way, he can be very effective,” Girhiny said. “We’ve found since he’s been back he’s been great in practice and great in the room and been doing very well and that’s evident with his goals and points.
“He should be a leader off the ice as well as on the ice.”
Edwardson is well aware the quality of play in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
“Everyone is here because they can play. Everyone can shoot the puck and skate. We’re not little kids,” he said. “It was frustrating but now I’m focused on being here.”
Edwardson brings some much needed experience and depth to the Falcons.
“When you bringing in quality players, there’s a push-down effect to your lineup and it just makes you deeper and that’s what one for sure we needed to be and still need to be,” Girhiny said. “For us to be successful as the year goes on and into the playoffs, we need to be deeper with four lines and seven D and with Carson adding to the offence, he’s made us deeper and we’re able to score more goals.”
Girhiny has seen no letdown from Edwardson.
“He was here for half of last year so I think he knows what he needs to do. He’s come in and has been great. He’s been focused on helping himself which will help us as well.
“He wants to plays CIS ( U Sports) and he has two years to get to keep working on what he needs to do. He’s been hitting all the checkmarks with respect to what we look for in a leader.”
The Falcons improved to 4-3 Friday with a 5-3 win over the Fort Erie Meteors.
Jaleel Adams, Dakota Miskolczi, Kyle West, Gage Stephany and Noah Perlic scored for St. Catharines.
Evan Miller, Noah Bourdon and Marco Lariccia replied for the Meteors, who fell to 2-6.
The Falcons are off until next Friday when they host Hamilton.
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