C Will Smith - San Jose Sharks , NHL(2023, 4th, SJS)

[GermanSpitfire]

William Smith at eliteprospects.com

Projects as one of the top American players for 2023. Solid two-way player already at this point and is one of the better ‘05’s, if not the best out of America for the 2023 NHL draft.

NCAA Commitment: Northeastern

QMJHL Rights: Gatineau Olympics
QMJHL American Draft: Gatineau Olympics (R1, 2021, #9 Overall)

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[WADEugottaBELAKthat]

On the playground is where he spent most of his days.

 

[Mach12]

On the playground is where he spent most of his days.

Galaxy defender

Parties in the city where the heat is on

Gets jiggy with it

In the Wild Wild West

 

[Gnashville]

Please tell me he has an Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil

 

[GoBoltz56]

If his nickname isn't some variation of "Fresh Prince", I quit hockey fandom.

 

[Bonin21]

Will surely decommit from NE when he realizes he doesn't have to be a man in black just because of his name.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

I hope he gets drafted into the Wild, Wild West.

 

[BKarchitect]

Jokes aside it would be nice to get some real scouting on him from people who have watched him closely - maybe from the USNTDP camp? Musty already has the look of a thoroughbred in OHL camp and many if not most scouting services grade Smith higher - or at least have till this point - so there's little doubt Smith is seen as a potential blue chipper.

The Puck Preps report from last fall (without copying word for word) as an electric puck handler with elite offensive tools (playmaking and scoring) across the board. They have him #4 on their 2005-born list right now, one ahead of Aram Minnetian as the top American and ahead of the likes of Callum Ritchie and Quentin Musty. By all accounts he should be one of the stars of the U17 team this year.

 

[Phil McKraken]

Future Flyers/Kings trade.

 

[Gnashville]

Future Flyers/Kings trade.

I could actually see him going to the Panthers
Then he would “be Bouncin' in the club where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
I'm goin' to Miami”

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

Jokes aside it would be nice to get some real scouting on him from people who have watched him closely - maybe from the USNTDP camp? Musty already has the look of a thoroughbred in OHL camp and many if not most scouting services grade Smith higher - or at least have till this point - so there's little doubt Smith is seen as a potential blue chipper.

The Puck Preps report from last fall (without copying word for word) as an electric puck handler with elite offensive tools (playmaking and scoring) across the board. They have him #4 on their 2005-born list right now, one ahead of Aram Minnetian as the top American and ahead of the likes of Callum Ritchie and Quentin Musty. By all accounts he should be one of the stars of the U17 team this year.

I watched some of the NTDP tryouts and I thought he looked great. Good puckhandler, great offensive instincts, good vision and passing. From what I saw -- and it was just a couple scrimmages, he didn't show a great shot, so that's not a big part of his game. His release is good, but it's his accuracy and instincts around the net that make him dangerous.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

If his nickname isn't some variation of "Fresh Prince", I quit hockey fandom.

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

If his nickname isn't some variation of "Fresh Prince", I quit hockey fandom.

I bet it's "Smitty" -- hockey players have lost all ability to come up with clever nicknames.

EDIT: I have to rescind this criticism. WiFi for Arber Xhekaj is an excellent nickname.

 

[QJL]

He has been a bit snake bitten to start the season but Smith looks like the top talent on the U17 team. It’s a weaker class but I think he projects as a top 6 toward and first rounder. Had his best game of the year tonight with 3+1. I expect his production to pick up.

 

[JotAlan]

How does he compare to 2004's most talented strikers Nazar, McGroarty and Cooley? More or less potential?

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Woo

Ha ha, ha ha

 

[QJL]

Smith is the top U17 USNTDP player. He’s now up with the U18s playing with Nazar and Howard with goals in back to back games. He’s a natural center with a fantastic all around game and excellent release. One to watch for the 2023 draft.

 

[covfefe]

Came for the fresh prince jokes, was not disappointed

 

[QJL]

2 goals tonight so far for the U18 team. He’s been playing up an age group for almost two months, near a point per game. He’s the the top player in the program for the 2023 draft.

 

[QJL]

There are 7 point per game forwards on the U18 USNTDP team (min 10 games).

Nazar, Cooley, Howard, Gauthier, McGroarty, Snuggerud, and 2023 eligible Will Smith.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

 

[JasonDemersWasOkay]

How’s his “slap”shot?

 

[TGWL]

How’s his “slap”shot?

You can hear it through-out the entire arena.

 

[waitin425]

Kid has a killer right hand

 

[Reddawg]

Probably racks up the fighting majors this guy