ETHAN CARDWELL - HERE FOR A REASON
Lizz Child
Aug 16, 2023From traveling with friends, visiting family, development camp, and training 5-6 days a week, San Jose Sharks prospect Ethan Cardwell has been enjoying a jam-packed offseason. As we return for another season, he's taking everything he has learned throughout his career and bringing it to San Jose.
Oh, sorry. Did that say Sharks prospect Ethan Cardwell?
It’s actually 2022-23 San Jose Sharks Prospect of the Year Ethan Cardwell.
Returning to the Barrie Colts for one final season in the OHL last year, the 20-year-old forward picked up 43 goals and 47 assists for 90 points in 62 games, making the most of his overage experience.
“It’s a huge honor,” Cardwell said about the prospect of the year title, noting the number of quality prospects San Jose has. However, don’t let yourself believe he is satisfied stopping there.
“I haven’t really done anything at the pro level to prove myself yet. It’s nice to know they appreciated my game, but I just have to keep building off of that. The hard work starts now. From going undrafted my first year and getting to this point as prospect of the year this year, it was a really nice icing on the cake for my junior year and a really good finish to a roller coaster ride of a junior career with a lot of ups and downs. It was nice to go out like that.
Now, after signing his entry-level contract with the Sharks in April, Cardwell is looking to make an impact and he has a mindset to match that as he steps into professional hockey.
He’s here for a reason. That’s something Cardwell would go back and tell his 15-year-old self ahead of his first OHL game with the Saginaw Spirit.
“You’re so starstruck by who is out there and you give them too much respect. I noticed this throughout my years in the OHL. The kids who came in and said ‘You know what? I am here for a reason too. I am good enough to play,’ are the guys who had the most success. They weren’t shy to go out there and make a play. I think that’s the biggest thing I want to carry with me. I’m here for a reason. I’m just going to go out there, do my thing, and not be worried about who else is out there.”
As he enters a new chapter in his hockey career, Cardwell discussed just what San Jose fans can expect to see from him every time he's on the ice.
“Lay it all on the line each game. Go out there and try to play a good 200-foot game. I contribute on both ends of the puck, whether it’s scoring a goal or penalty killing. I think I can be used in all situations, that’s something I pride myself in, and just bringing an honest effort every night.”
IT WASN’T ALWAYS HOCKEY
While most in the hockey world have a love for golf that developed, with a lot of patience, as they got older, Cardwell says golf was his first passion. For those who haven’t heard, Ethan Cardwell and his younger brother Tanner are pretty serious golfers. Tanner is attending Robert Morris University on a golf scholarship while Ethan decided to follow the hockey path.
It was a decision he had to make early, and it’s worked out pretty well so far.
“My family, we were always big into golf growing up. Both hockey and golf. My dad did both. He played both sports until he had to make a decision as well. I was probably 14 or 15 and I started talking to some schools about golf scholarships and stuff like that. I kind of had to make a decision then because in the OHL, we [sign] pretty early. So, at about 15, I decided I want to go with hockey.”
While fully committed to hockey now, Cardwell hasn’t ruled out golf as a post-pro hockey career plan.
“[With hockey], I love being around the guys. Love the game so much. I figured, who knows? Maybe down the road when you’re 35 or 40 and retire, you can always get back into golf.”
Perhaps Cardsy will have a chance to show off his skills at the 2023 Barracuda Golf Classic.
SHOWBOUND
Along with co-host Michael Raskin, Cardwell hosts Showbound: The Podcast, bringing hockey fans a bit more of a behind-the-scenes talk with players from juniors to the NHL. For fans of the pod, don’t worry. The two don’t plan on ending things any time soon, though, they may not be posting as regularly as they have in the past.
“I have to focus on my first year and stuff, but whenever the team has downtime, I’d still love to get episodes out,” commented Cardwell about continuing the show while he’s in San Jose. “I have to put hockey first, for sure, but there is no reason, if we have a day or two off, that I can’t take 45 minutes to get [an episode] out there.”
Will we see Raskin make an appearance at a game in San Jose this season? “He said I’ve got to make the NHL first,” laughed Cardwell. “So, hopefully, he does this year. I think he’ll definitely be down at some point.”
Mentioning Zac Dalpe, who reached the Stanley Cup Final with the Florida Panthers as one of his favorite guests to have on the podcast because of the fun stories he brought. Don’t worry, parents, Showbound is a kid-friendly podcast and they are going to remain that way.
“We like to keep it that way for our audience,” said Cardwell. “I’m sure there are some pretty wild things that would be said otherwise, but we care too much about our fans and the kids who are listening to ever have anything not PG on there.”
GET TO KNOW ETHAN CARDWELL
Top-three music artists?
EC: 1. Eric Church 2. Morgan Wallen 3. Zach Bryan
Favorite song right now?
EC: Oklahoma Smokeshow - Zach Bryan
Best color ball for mini golf?
EC: Pink. Make a statement
(especially with glow-in-the-dark mini golf)
If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be and why?
EC: Probably mango. Well, it’s my favorite fruit. It’s bright, colorful, and it’s sweet. I like to think of myself as a pretty nice person.
Which guy from the organization would you be willing to be stuck in a “Groundhog Day”-style time loop with?
EC: Oh, Probably [Nick Cicek]. Me and Cheech just chirp each other all day long and I don’t really ever get sick of it. I think it’s hilarious. Any time that guy is around, I’m always laughing. I like making fun of him and he likes making fun of me, so it kind of works well. That would be pretty fun.
What has been the best memory hockey has given you so far?
EC: For me, a personal thing was getting the call that the Sharks wanted to sign me. That was a pretty cool milestone for myself, but honestly, it’s hard to pinpoint anything as a “hockey memory”. Looking back now, it’s five years of junior played in the OHL. I’d say honestly just that as a whole is a memory in itself because there are so many little tidbits that I’ll carry with me from those five years. Just funny things like being on the road with the guys on the bus, in the hotels, just hanging out in guys’ basements. Everything. All the little things like that, off the ice with the guys. Every day you create a new memory, so overall, those five years have been the highlight of my life. I’m looking forward to moving on, but I’ll always have that one with me.
What is the meaning of life?
EC: The meaning of life? I think just enjoying every day. We’re all so blessed to actually be on this planet, so I think there is no reason in being down on anything really, because if you put life into perspective each day, we’re all just really lucky to be here and afforded the fortune that we’re given. For me, it’s about living every day to my fullest and making and keeping healthy relationships with everyone. Enjoying life because it’s really a pretty good thing we’re all given here.
FOR THE FANS
EC: I’m pumped. The atmosphere is electric in The Reef and in the Shark Tank. I’m just super excited to get my first taste of playing in front of you guys and looking forward to getting things going in October. It’s going to be an amazing year, so let’s all be really excited about it.