Tri-Cities hockey standout selected in the 1st round of NHL Draft

Jackson Smith learned to ice skate when he was 3 years old.

When he was 5, the Calgary native began to watch National Hockey League games on television.

“A lot of NHL games,” he said. “I thought that playing in the NHL was impossible when I was younger. Then I started growing up, playing better, and the NHL was something I was looking at as a kid.

“But it still hasn’t sunk in that I am going to get drafted.”

On Friday night, Tri-City Americans defenseman Jackson Smith was chosen 14th overall in the first round of the NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Bittersweet departure

There was a bit of a good news-bad news scenario for Americans fans — although no one should begrudge the 18-year-old Smith’s plans.

After all, it is his career.

A few weeks ago, Smith announced on his Instagram account that he has committed to playing for Penn State University this coming season — meaning his hockey career with the Americans is more than likely over.

“It’s been one of the hardest decisions of my life. I love the Tri-Cities,” said Smith in a recent interview with the Tri-City Herald.

“Playing in the Tri-Cities has been everything. When I got drafted (by the Ams), some of the best weather in the league is here. I’m going to miss being with these guys. It’s sad to think we’ll not go to lunch every day,” he said.

But there is a bigger goal in mind for the 6-foot-4, 200-pounder.

“Just going for a visit (to Penn State), and seeing the facilities was impressive,” Smith said. “I think I can develop a bit more there. It’s all about what can I do to get to the NHL fastest.”

The usual script when a player at age 18 in the Western Hockey League gets drafted by an NHL team is go to the NHL squad’s pre-season camp, and then get sent back to his WHL team for the coming season.

But last fall, the NCAA announced that its Division I schools will be allowed for the first time to recruit players from the Canadian Hockey League’s major junior rosters from the WHL, Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

Previously, the NCAA considered CHL players to be professionals, as some players get drafted by NHL teams and sign contracts.

There will be some added benefit, as Smith could get some Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) income from Penn State.

“NIL is interesting for sure. But that was the least of my worries for my decision,” Smith said, before re-iterating, “It’s more about what I can do to get to the NHL fastest.”

Penn State route

Smith thought long and hard when the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff reached out to him this summer

“I thought about playing in the Dub (WHL). But then Penn State called and wanted me to play for them,” he said. “The way it works is I can leave any time I want. Whatever the NHL team wants me to do. Penn State is OK with that. If it’s one year, two years, it’s always gonna be respect what the NHL team wants me to do.”

The Nittany Lions program has moved up the ladder the past few years.

They finished this spring with a 22-14-4 record and made it to the Frozen Four.

While Smith says it’s just rumors, the Nittany Lions are trying to recruit Medicine Hat star Gavin McKenna — who helped lead the Tigers to a second-place finish in this year’s Memorial Cup, and who is a possible No. 1 NHL Draft selection in 2026.

For Smith, though, Penn State was just too attractive.

“The NCAA Division I, I feel it’s a bit better than the WHL,” he said. “It’s because they have older guys on the ice. Usually, freshmen come in at the age of 20. They have a lot of experience, and that’s what makes it tougher.

“They only play 38-40 games a season. Every game is important. A lot of games are 3-2 or something close.”

Penn State plays in the Big 10 Conference, along with Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin — as well as Notre Dame.

Becoming a professional prospect

Let’s not forget that, for Smith, the NHL was the ultimate goal.

Smith says the turning point on whether he could one day end up in the NHL came when he was 15.

He was drafted second overall in the WHL Prospects Draft by the Americans.

At the time, he was playing for the Edge School U-15 Prep team in Calgary, most of that season as a 14-year-old.

“My stats were good. I had an incredible season,” said Smith, who scored 15 goals and 23 assists with Edge. “It was pretty cool to be second overall. And I started to think that ‘Maybe I have a shot at the NHL.’”

His performance these past two seasons with the Ams have been impressive, including 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) in 68 games with Tri-City in 2024-25.

For added measure, Smith played for gold medal-winning Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship. In that tournament, Smith scored four goals and one assist.

The NHL Central Scouting Bureau has Smith ranked 13th overall among North American skaters entering tonight’s draft.

“I’ve felt that all areas in my game have gotten better,” he said.

Including his puck-handling, where he became deadly as the quarterback of the team’s power play.

“I didn’t score much until the end of the year,” said Smith. “The puck wasn’t going in for me much during the early part of the season. Then I saw one go in in overtime, and from then on I continued to get better. That was big for me (as far as confidence).”

Smith likes his game management and time management.

“My defense, in zone D, has improved a lot,” he said. “But I still definitely need to improve on my defensive zone play. Go harder to the play. Right now, I’m 200 pounds and 6-foot-4. Right now, I like where I’m at. I’m big, and skating becomes more important (in the NHL).”

In the last few weeks, Smith was one of 90 players invited to the NHL Combine.

“The NHL Combine was cool, just to be able to talk to NHL people,” said Smith, who was interviewed by 21 NHL front offices.

And when his name gets called during the draft, his dream will come true. Is there a favorite team?

“My favorite team has been Calgary, since I’m from there,” said Smith.

But growing up, Chicago was also a favorite.

“I loved watching Patrick Kane play,” he added. “My grandpa got me a Chris Chelios No. 7 jersey, and that’s why I wear 7.”

Wherever he goes, there will be plenty of Tri-City Americans fans who will be in his corner, cheering him on.

“Tri-Cities and the fans have been the world to me,” Smith said. “I love everything so much here. I’ve grown and matured here. And I credit my team and coaches so much for my improvement.”

Notes: Smith might not be the only Am who gets his name called this weekend. Right-winger Savin Virk is ranked 121st among North American skaters by the NHL Scouting Bureau, while left wing Cash Koch is ranked 181st. Gavin Garland, another Tri-City right winger, is ranked 201st. … Ams center Jake Gudelj was ranked 214th at mid-season, but does not show in the final rankings. … Former Tri-City center Jordan Gavin, who was traded in January to the Brandon Wheat Kings, had a 123 ranking in the mid-season rankings. However, he didn’t make the final rankings.

This story was originally published June 27, 2025 at 11:34 AM.