There are a lot of players who’ve made their pro debuts for the San Jose Barracuda this season, but none of them are having quite as much impact as Ethan Cardwell. After putting up 200 points in 189 OHL games split between the Saginaw Spirit and the Barrie Colts, the former San Jose Sharks 2022 prospect of the year is making a name for himself early. After getting on the scoresheet in his first regular season game for the Barracuda, Cardwell scored his first goal in the next game, and put up 4 points in his first 4 games of the season. He was held pointless in their most recent game of the season, but there’s a lot for Sharks and Barracuda fans to like about the rookie.
Who Is Ethan Cardwell?
I sat down with Cardwell over Zoom to learn a little more about his transition to the pro level, how he thinks his season has been going so far, and what he needs to do to take his game up a notch.
Cardwell considers himself a hard worker and a strong skater, noting that the harder he works in the defensive zone, the more success that’s going to create in the offensive zone. He goes on to add that he wants to add layers to his game this season to become a more complete player for the Barracuda, and especially notes his goal to contribute to the penalty kill. “Everybody wants to be on the powerplay and score all the goals and stuff like that. But I think for me, personally, to really excel at this level, it’s going to start with the [defensive] side of the puck and becoming an effective player [there].”
It’s a mature answer from a player who only celebrated his twenty first birthday in August, and when quizzed on the adjustments he’s had to make since leaving major junior hockey, he talks about being a pro 24/7. “It’s not being a pro for two hours at the rink and then going home. You have to eat properly, you have to sleep properly, [..] you have to be taking all the different steps that are going to help you excel on game day.” Since joining the Barracuda, Cardwell has changed a lot of the little aspects of game days; stretching differently, preparing at the rink differently. All small adjustments that can help him become that 200ft player that he wants to become this season.
A Weekend of Firsts
Cardwell made his regular season professional debut in the San Jose Barracuda’s home opener on October 13th. The Barracuda would lose, 7-2, but with an assist on Brandon Coe’s goal in the first period, Cardwell would get his first AHL point of his career. When asked about his nerves before the game, Cardwell gave a nod to his mental coach for helping him prepare for the moment. “I told myself I was there for a reason, so go out there and do what you’re here to do. There’s no point shying away and letting the moment take over, just [..] play your hardest and good things will come from that.”
The very next day, the Barracuda had a rematch with the Icehogs, who defeated them the day before. Cardwell didn’t waste any time, scoring his first goal with less than three minutes left in the first period to put the Barracuda up 1-0. Originally unassisted, Cole Cassels was later given an assist on the play.
The goal came on a broken play, with Cardwell’s first shot blocked in front. “I saw Sabby [Scott Sabourin] going to the net, so I thought I’d just get it on [target] and see what happens, and sure enough it creeped in. Not the prettiest goal for sure, but they all count.” Cardwell went on to acknowledge that scoring a goal is great, but being able to do it and help your team win is even better.
The Importance of Family
Ethan isn’t the only blossoming pro athlete in the family. His young brother, Tanner Cardwell, is well on his way to a pro career in golf. Both Ethan and Tanner played both sports growing up, before Ethan chose hockey and Tanner chose golf, but there’s a bond between the two of them born of chirping on the golf course and letting their two worlds collide. “Typically if someone makes a bad shot everyone keeps their mouth shut, but with us, we aren’t afraid to give it to each other if we mess up, so it gets pretty hostile out there, but it’s all in good fun.”
Cardwell’s early in his pro career, but he’s been sure to pass on anything to his younger brother that can help him get set up for life on the golf course. Cardwell was a competitive golfer until he turned 17 and hockey really took over, so he knows the ins and outs of his brother’s world more than most, and can speak from experience about playing a high level team sport. College golf is more of a team sport than you would think, and that was something new to Tanner. “I’ve been able to talk him through some of the ups and downs [of that aspect of sport], and it’s all about balancing emotions, right? You have to let your mind be in the right spot so you can excel and maximise all your chances.”
The Future
Cardwell doesn’t like to put numbers on his goals for the season, because he doesn’t want to over or under achieve. “I’m never really focused on playing a bunch of minutes or scoring a bunch of goal. It’s about what I can do to maximise my potential and my opportunities [..] I just want to increase my knowledge and my work ethic and everything that goes along with that and hopefully it’ll one day translate to being an NHL player.”
Cardwell is currently tied for fourth in team scoring, and is leading Barracuda rookies in both goals and points.
Photo Credits: Maddie Dutra
