Edison Engle (D, L, 6’2″, 175, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 02/15/2007, Ohio State)
Edison Engle is a mobile, two-way defenseman who has carved out a top role with Dubuque and earned top-pair minutes internationally. He shows poise and polish with the puck and skates with power and efficiency. While he projects as a puck-moving transitional defenseman with second power play upside, there are significant concerns about his physical maturity, defensive assertiveness, and ability to defend against heavier, faster competition. That said, the raw toolkit—size, mobility, hockey IQ—is one that NHL teams value in mid-to-late round targets.
Why Edison Engle Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Size, Mobility & Skating Mechanics
Engle has an NHL frame (6’2”) and moves well. His stride is balanced and efficient, and he’s shown the ability to close gaps quickly and escape pressure with clean edgework. While not explosive, he’s smooth and composed on his feet—traits that allow him to make effective first passes and hold defensive posture under pressure.
2) High-End Passing and Puck Movement
Engle completes 87% of his passes, with 0.68 passes that lead directly to a teammate’s shot per game, indicating solid puck distribution and offensive zone manipulation. On the power play, he runs the point confidently, using deception, awareness and timing to create space and lanes. His puck retrieval and escape habits are strong, and his ability to stretch the ice vertically is an asset.
3) Intelligence & Decision-Making
Multiple viewings highlight his scanning habits, especially under pressure. He consistently makes sound reads, both in transition and in-zone. With just 3.8 giveaways/game while logging 16:01 TOI, 2:32 on the PP, and 0:31 SH, his ability to handle the puck under pressure is clear.
4) Defensive Positional Structure & Stick Detail
Engle’s stick is consistently active. He defends with a cerebral approach—he’s not a punisher but he angles well, disrupts passing lanes, and blocks 0.29 shots per game. He wins 59% of his puck battles, a strong figure for a 6’2″, 175-lbs defender who is long and lean, and his 1.54 loose puck recoveries per game demonstrate anticipation, competitiveness and an understanding of owning his opponent’s ice in retrieval situations.
Why Edison Engle Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Physicality and Strength Deficiencies
Despite his size, Engle plays a light game. He gives just 0.19 hits per game and receives 0.68 hits per game—a troubling stat for a 6’2″ defender, especially in the more physically grinding USHL. Neutral Zone reports from the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and USHL games show he is often outmuscled by stronger opponents. He can be beaten wide or through the body, especially when forwards initiate contact.
2) Play Under Defensive Pressure
While his stick positioning is sound, Engle’s effectiveness defending the rush and handling heavy offensive cycles currently has limits. At the Hlinka, attackers consistently exploited him with speed or power, and his inability to engage physically allowed too many clean entries. His positioning is sound, but it’s ineffective without physical engagement.
3) Limited Shooting Threat
Engle creates offense more through distribution than shooting. With 2.5 shot attempts/game, 1.33 on net, and only 9% success on Grade “A” chances, he currently lacks a dangerous shot from the point. To be a true two-way defender at higher levels he needs to get his shot to the net more frequently to generate net-front chaos. He’s capable of sneaking down to find better lanes, but the mechanics and power in his release need significant development.
4) No “Defining Skill” Yet
While he’s strong across the board, Engle doesn’t yet flash elite upside in any one area. His offense is solid, his defense is structured, and his skating is smooth—but he’s not dynamic enough offensively or dominant enough defensively to stand out without adding more tools or physical strength to his game.
Projection and NHL Outlook
Projection: Bottom-pair NHL defenseman
Draft Grade: End of 3rd–4th Round
Verdict:
Edison Engle is a solid developmental target with clear pro habits, offensive polish, and mobility that projects well to the modern NHL. However, he must add muscle mass, become more assertive defensively, and develop more physical pushback to survive against pro-level competition. His game will benefit from another year in the USHL and two-to-three years with an NCAA strength and conditioning coach. He’s a safe, cerebral defender with enough foundational tools to justify a mid-round selection, especially for teams with a track record of developing raw, mobile defensemen into NHL contributors.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images