Photo courtesy of the Youngstown Phantoms. Beckham Edwards, left, pictured with co-GM Jason Deskins after signing his tender agreement with the Youngstown Phantoms.

On Friday, the Youngstown Phantoms announced the signing of 2008-born forward Beckham Edwards to a tender agreement.

Edwards, a 6-foot-1 forward from London, Ontario, is currently playing with the Little Caesars 15U AAA program in Detroit.

A goalscorer by nature, Edwards currently has 61 points (39 goals, 22 assists) in 37 games played this season.

In addition, Edwards is one of just nine forwards that were selected by Hockey Canada to represent his home country in the Youth Olympics.

“We’re excited that more and more of these high-end talents are choosing our league and choosing our program. I think it speaks volumes about where our league is at and specifically where the Youngstown Phantoms are. I think that everyone’s worked hard to make this the premier place to play junior hockey and Beckham making this decision is further evidence of that,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said. “I think when you surround your players with every possible resource and every possible coach that can lend his experience to developing these players, I think it’s huge.”

The decision to come to Youngstown, despite plenty of suitors, including going the Canadian Major Junior route, came easily once Edwards and family toured Youngstown with the team.

“I had the chance to tour there, and everyone when I got there was really welcoming. It just seemed like a great fit for me,” Edwards said. “With how everyone treated me and how everyone was (it was just a great fit.) Also, the style of play that they have I think it just fits around my overall game.”

That style of game, which has drawn comparisons to Joe Thornton, Dylan Larkin and former Youngstown Phantom Kyle Connor by the Phantoms staff, fits like a glove in a Youngstown system that prioritizes speed, possession and aggression with the puck.

“I would say I’m a 200-foot player, who takes pride in the defensive zone and also likes to have the puck on his stick and make plays with my speed and shots inside the offensive zone,” Edwards said.

Despite being a few weeks shy of 16, Edwards has an air of maturity to him.

It’s apparent when hearing his voice. The young forward is confident, but never cocky, and is eager to prove himself on the ice.

“I think I’d bring, even though it’d be my first year, I think I bring a little bit of maturity,” Edwards said. “I think I’m a pretty mature player on the ice. I think I also bring a little bit of defensive capabilities. Obviously we’re a great team, but I think I can help a little bit with that. I also think I bring some good offense to the table as well.”

That attitude makes even more sense when he talks about one of his favorite players, Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon.

MacKinnon is famous for his killer mentality on the ice, as well as his disdain for carbs, and has been a cornerstone leader for the team since his draft year in 2013.

Edwards sees similarities in their games and is hoping to be that same type of impact guy in Youngstown.

“I like to take some things from Nathan MacKinnon. I think we have some similar attributes,” Edwards said. “He’s a pretty big power forward, he can make plays all over the place, he’s a great defensive player who is in on the PK, and the power play. I think he has amazing shots. I think we kind of line up a little bit. I like watching him play and trying to add some of what he does into my game.”

In recruiting Edwards, Ward, as well as general managers Ryan Kosecki and Jason Deskins, each mentioned the resources that the club has and how their goal is to not only prepare players for college, but for the NHL as well.

“Our job here in Youngstown is to get guys ready to play in the National Hockey League,” Ward said. “And I think that’s what we illustrated through their visit and to see how we do things on a day-to-day basis. It’s no different than a professional schedule and we have the resources where we surround these guys with skills coaches and trainers and equipment managers and strength coaches that are all full-time with us every day. It gives these kids every opportunity to have success on and off the ice.”

Like last season’s tender of Sascha Boumedienne, the Phantoms will forfeit their first-round selection in the 2023 Phase I Draft.

Edwards will make his debut with the Phantoms during the 2024-25 season.

“He’s going to be a favorite,” Deskins said. “I think our fans are really going to learn to appreciate him because he’s a great player and is going to score a ton of goals for us. He’s the type of kid that has always got a smile on his face and people just migrate to him. We’re going to have a lot of people that want Beckham Edwards jerseys.”

byauger@tribtoday.com