The San Jose Sharks chose Will Smith with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Will Smith
Position: Center
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 180 lbs
Shoots: Right
Age: 18
Club: U.S. National Team Development Program
Nationality: 🇺🇸
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 3rd among North American skaters
2022-23 stats
| GP | G | A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. NTDP | 60 | 51 | 76 |
| U18 Worlds | 7 | 9 | 11 |
Smith was the top American prospect in this draft, and rightfully so, given his massive production and the numerous tools he's displayed. The Massachusetts-born pivot had one of the best seasons ever at the U.S. National Team Development Program. He collected more than two points per game combined with the national Under-18 team in 2022-23, including his efforts at the World Championship for that age group.
The talented forward's draft stock didn't change much over the season, as he slotted in third among North American skaters in both NHL Central Scouting's midterm and final rankings. But the fact he solidified himself as the continent's third-best skater behind no-brainers Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli is impressive in its own right.
The American world junior team cut Smith during December's camp, but he got redemption in the Under-18 World Championship when he was named MVP of that tourney in April.
Smith has committed to Boston College for the 2023-24 campaign.
What they're saying
"Smith is a dynamic offensive player who stands out every game with his talent," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman in May. "He has tremendous puck skills, vision, and overall offensive creativity and projects to be a major asset on an NHL power play. He skates well and makes so many high-difficulty plays at a strong pace, which lends well to his pro projection."
"If there are concerns about his game, (they're) that Smith can lack the physical advantages of bigger centers and his skating is closer to average, but it has improved some this year," FloHockey's Chris Peters wrote in November. "He's an elite thinker of the game, and he has the capability to make elite plays all over the ice. There are few who match his hands and playmaking ability in this class."
"The way he wheels across the top of the circles and then play-makes from the high slot, or slips off the wall to the middle, is special," wrote The Athletic's Scott Wheeler in May. "The way he walks through coverage and hangs onto pucks is special. He's just so hard to get a hand on. There's just this elusiveness to his game where you never know where he's going with the puck. I like the way he has started to hunt and come up with more pucks, too."
Click here to watch Smith's highlights.
