Sports stats

OHL Kingston Frontenacs

Feeling at Home, Lucas Edmonds Is Adjusting Quickly to Kingston

November 15, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs News Release


When Lucas Edmonds arrived in Kingston, he did not know what to expect. Yet, a month into his first Ontario Hockey League season, he has quickly adjusted to a new city and new team, all while flourishing individually.

Coming off five seasons in Sweden, the North Bay, Ontario-born forward returned to Canada this year and is thriving in his first year of junior hockey in Kingston. With 24 points in 14 games, Edmonds has had no trouble adjusting to life in the OHL.

"It's been great; I would be lying if I said I wasn't happy with the production," said Edmonds, who the Frotnenacs selected in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. "We have a winning record, and that's something we are striving for the whole year; it's something I would have wanted, so there are no complaints from me."

In Sweden, Edmonds played in a mix of men's and junior leagues, and despite racking up points in the junior leagues, the production was not as prominent when he put his teenage physique up to men. However, coming to the OHL, he has imposed the skills developed against older opponents, thriving against players in his age category.

"It's certainly a big difference playing against men; you're not going to win many puck battles when you're up against a 6'5" 220lb guy," he said. "It helped me improve and focus on knowing how to use my stick and how to use my body to my advantage, which has helped me out here."

The 19-year-old's OHL career could not have started any better, scoring two goals in his debut while adding a pair of assists in the Frontenacs' 8-1 opening night win over the Ottawa 67's. Since then, Edmonds has posted six more multi-point games, including a recent game tying goal in the final minutes of the game against Mississauga on national television (November 13th).

Edmonds' mature skills and experience have helped him get off to a quick start with the Fronts while also capturing the eyes of junior hockey fans, but it is not all up to him. His teammates have ensured the transition to Canadian hockey has been as seamless as possible.

"We had Zoom calls all summer, and when we split into groups at training camp, I got close with some of the guys," he said. "Everyone is really welcoming and inviting, which made it really easy to feel a part of the team very quickly."

Goaltender Leevi Meriläinen and Edmonds share a special bond in the locker room. Edmonds, Swedish, and Meriläinen, from neighbouring Finland, have put their country's age-old rivalries aside this season. "We joke around a lot, it is fun to have another guy from that part of the world on the team, and he knows Scandinavian culture a bit more, so it is nice."

Although he lived in Sweden during the seasons, Edmonds spent his summers in Canada, making the switch back to a Canadian lifestyle not overly challenging, and he has settled in quickly off the ice in the Limestone City. "It reminds me a bit of Sweden, with the old buildings and pretty architecture," he said. "The downtown is right on the water, which is nice; it's a beautiful city."

While the adjustment to the OHL and life on the shores of Lake Ontario has been smooth, Edmonds is still getting used to a different hockey fan culture in Canada compared to Europe. In Sweden, there are sections in the crowd where fans stand, chant and sing the whole game. "It's like a soccer atmosphere," he said, "It's very different, but we've definitely heard and felt the support from our fans at the Leon's Centre."

Moving across the Atlantic ocean is not an easy task for anyone. Still, after a year that Edmonds describes as "not much fun," he has settled into Kingston and is thriving with the Frontenacs, alongside a close-knit and skilled group of teammates. "It's been awesome; I love the city, the guys on the team, everything even just outside of hockey has been great, and the hockey part has been great too."

Check out the Kingston Frontenacs Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Kingston Frontenacs Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central