Will Smith (ice hockey)

Last updated

Will Smith
Born (2005-03-17) March 17, 2005 (age 19)
Lexington, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 172 lb (78 kg; 12 st 4 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Right
NHL team San Jose Sharks
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 4th overall, 2023
San Jose Sharks
Playing career 2024–present

William Smith (born March 17, 2005) is an American professional ice hockey center for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college hockey at Boston College. Smith was drafted fourth overall by the Sharks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. [1]

Contents

Playing career

In Smith's first year in the national program, he scored 37 points in 35 games with the under-17 team. In his first draft-eligible year, he centered the under-18 team's first line, scoring over two points per game, and was named MVP of the BioSteel All-American Game. [2] He signed with the San Jose Sharks on May 28, 2024. [3]

International play

Medal record
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2024 Sweden
World U18 Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 Switzerland
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2022 Germany

At the 2023 IIHF World U18 Championships, Smith led the tournament in scoring with nine goals and 20 points in seven games and won a gold medal. [4]

On December 16, 2023, Smith was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. [5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2021–22 U.S. National Development Team USHL 3614142828—————
2022–23 U.S. National Development TeamUSHL2015274220—————
2023–24 Boston College HE 4125467114—————
NCAA totals4125467114—————

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2022 United States U18 Silver medal icon.svg42240
2023 United StatesU18Gold medal icon.svg7911202
2024 United States WJC Gold medal icon.svg74590
2024 United States WC 5th50000
Junior totals181518332
Senior totals50000

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
All-Hockey East First Team 2024 [6]
Hockey East All-Rookie Team [7]
William Flynn Tournament Most Valuable Player
AHCA East First Team All-American [8]
NCAA All-Tournament Team 2024 [9]
International
U18 Best Forward 2023 [10]
U18 All-Star Team2023 [10]
U18 MVP2023 [10]

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References

  1. ↑ "BREAKING: Sharks Select Will Smith No. 4". sanjosehockeynow.com. June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ Wheeler, Scott. "Will Smith, the 2023 NHL Draft's ankle-breaker, is just scratching the surface". The Athletic. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  3. ↑ "San Jose Sharks Sign Center Will Smith". NHL.com. San Jose Sharks. May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  4. ↑ Morreale, Mike. "Smith sets sights on 2023 NHL Draft, freshman year at Boston College". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  5. ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (December 16, 2023). "Gauthier leads United States 2024 World Junior roster". NHL.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  6. ↑ "HOCKEY EAST NAMES 2023-24 MEN'S ALL-STAR TEAMS". Hockey East. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  7. ↑ "HOCKEY EAST NAMES 2023-24 PRO AMBITIONS ALL-ROOKIE TEAM". Hockey East. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Top 25 men's college hockey players earn distinction as CCM/AHCA Hockey All-Americans for 2023-24 season". USCHO.com. April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Boston College Falls to Denver in National Championship". bceagles.com. April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 "Will Smith named MVP". IIHF. April 30, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by San Jose Sharks first round draft pick
2023 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Hockey East Tournament MVP
2024 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by NCAA Ice Hockey Scoring Champion
2023–24 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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