Ryerson Edgar’s Leadership Sets the Tone in Niagara

Niagara IceDogs head coach Jake Grimes sees a mature, relentless competitor in the young centre, whose commitment to preparation, physical growth, and team success is helping shape his future.

Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

For many young hockey players, a National Hockey League Draft year brings added pressure, heightened expectations, and constant attention to individual performance. For Ryerson Edgar, the approach has been considerably simpler: focus on winning, take things day by day and find ways to become a better player.

That mindset has caught the attention of Niagara IceDogs head coach Jake Grimes, who sees a prospect whose value extends beyond his offensive ability.

“He has unlimited potential, and yet so much more he can still add to his game,” Grimes said. “Really, really exciting guy, doing a lot with our club, leading our club and helping us win.”

Edgar’s development has also drawn attention from NHL Central Scouting. He received an A rating on the Preliminary Players to Watch List, a designation indicating a potential first-round candidate in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.

For Grimes, Edgar’s development is not simply about producing points or impressing scouts. It is about building a more complete player, one capable of contributing in every area of the game while setting an example for his teammates.

A Mature Approach to a Defining Season

Edgar entered the season with valuable experience already under his belt after adjusting to the pace and physical demands of the Ontario Hockey League as a 16-year-old. That first season provided an education in what it takes to compete at the major junior level, as well as an opportunity to learn from older teammates.

Now, with greater familiarity and confidence, he is focused on applying those lessons.

“I think just taking it day by day and focusing on winning, focusing on the team,” Edgar said. “I think it keeps my mind off other things and helps me bring it every game.”

That team-first approach has become an important part of his identity in Niagara. Rather than allowing draft discussions to dictate his priorities, Edgar has emphasized the daily responsibilities that can help both him and the IceDogs succeed.

He credited the veteran players he played alongside during his rookie season with helping him understand the league and prepare for the challenges ahead. Among those influences is Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ethan Czata, with whom Edgar continues to discuss the draft process with.

Those conversations have helped him navigate the expectations surrounding a season in which every performance can attract additional attention.

The result, at least by Edgar’s own assessment, has been a more confident player who understands what is required to compete consistently in the OHL.

The Next Steps in His Development

Grimes, who has coached Edgar in Niagara, believes the young forward has the mindset needed to keep improving. He pointed to his willingness to study video, ask questions, and engage in detailed conversations about his performance as evidence of a player who takes development seriously.

“He does a ton of video,” Grimes said. “He is proactive, wanting to see everything, talk about everything, and work with everything. I mean, he is that focused.”

That attention to detail has helped shape the areas of Edgar’s game that the coaching staff wants him to continue developing.

Although Grimes already views Edgar’s offensive game as a major strength, he wants to see the centre become even more dynamic in attack. At the same time, the coach has noticed encouraging progress in Edgar’s strength and physical play.

“He can add some more dynamics to his offence,” Grimes said, adding that the offensive ability Edgar already possesses is impressive. “You can see he’s getting stronger. You can see he’s playing physical.”

Just as importantly, Grimes highlighted Edgar’s willingness to compete along the boards and contribute defensively.

Those details matter when evaluating a young player’s potential at the next level. Offensive instincts can make a prospect stand out, but the ability to handle physical pressure, defend responsibly and contribute away from the puck can help determine how effectively those skills translate against stronger competition.

For Edgar, the challenge is to keep adding dimensions to his game without losing the qualities that have already made him an important part of Niagara’s lineup.

Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

Leadership Beyond His Years

One of the more striking elements of Grimes’ evaluation is his description of Edgar away from the puck.

Grimes said Edgar’s maturity was a pleasant surprise, particularly given his age. The coach sees a player whose approach to the game and daily conduct have earned the respect of teammates.

“Just how relentless he is on the ice, of course. Off the ice, how mature he is,” Grimes said. “He’s 17. He might as well be 19 or 20, and the guys look at him that way too.”

That maturity has translated into a leadership role with the Niagara IceDogs, where Edgar wears an alternate captain’s letter.

For Grimes, the appointment was about more than skill. He pointed to Edgar’s determination to win and, just as importantly, his willingness to prepare properly to give himself and his team the best chance of doing so.

“His desire and his will to win and his will to prepare to win are unmatched, really,” Grimes said.

Edgar, meanwhile, was quick to recognize that leadership in Niagara extends beyond the players wearing letters. He described the entire group as one in which players lead by example and contribute to the culture in their own way.

“I’m one of the lucky ones to wear a letter, but everyone on our team makes a difference,” Edgar said. “Everyone leads by example, and I’m just really happy to represent that.”

It is a perspective that aligns with his broader approach to the season. Individual recognition may come with the draft process, but Edgar appears determined to measure his progress through the success of the group around him.

He also credited the returning players and coaching staff with helping maintain a positive locker-room environment despite changes to the roster and coaching staff.

Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

Family, Experience, and the Bigger Picture

Behind Edgar’s on-ice development is a support system that has helped him navigate hockey since childhood.

When asked who has had the greatest influence on his career, Edgar pointed to his father, with whom he has reviewed games since he was eight years old.

“Yeah, I was actually just talking to him now,” Edgar said. “I recap every game with him, have since I was 8 years old.”

He described those conversations as a major factor in his development, crediting his father’s knowledge and willingness to teach him after each game.

Edgar has also drawn inspiration from watching some of hockey’s most dynamic players. He mentioned Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini among the superstars whose attributes he tries to incorporate into his own game, while highlighting Brandon Hagel’s combination of skill, intensity and competitive fire.

International competition has provided another valuable learning experience. Edgar reflected on the lessons he has taken from playing alongside talented teammates at tournaments, emphasizing the importance of learning from different players and their experiences.

Those opportunities, combined with his first OHL season, have given him a broader understanding of what it takes to perform at a high level.

He has also committed to the University of Michigan, a program he said appealed to him because of its history, player development and the players it has produced. The opportunity to tour the facilities further strengthened his excitement about the commitment.

It gives Edgar another significant milestone to look forward to as he continues working toward his long-term goals.

Keeping the Focus on Winning

With NHL scouts evaluating prospects throughout the season, it can be easy for a young player to become consumed by individual statistics and external expectations.

Edgar’s stated priorities remain firmly rooted in team performance.

In his interview, he pointed to a 7-5-1 start for Niagara and expressed confidence that the team could continue building on that foundation. His goal was straightforward: contribute however he could to help the IceDogs win.

That emphasis helps explain why Grimes’ assessment goes beyond offensive production. The coach sees a player who wants to improve, accepts the work required to do so and understands the importance of preparing his teammates and himself for competition.

The next stages of Edgar’s development will require continued progress in his offensive creativity, strength and physical play. But his willingness to study the game, embrace difficult situations and lead by example gives Niagara reason to be encouraged.

An NHL Draft year will inevitably bring scrutiny, and potential alone does not guarantee a particular outcome. What Edgar can control is how he prepares, how consistently he competes, and how much he continues to grow.

For Grimes, those qualities are already evident.

For Edgar, the path forward begins with the same principle that has guided him so far: take it day by day, focus on the team and keep finding ways to get better.