Smith and Musty Headline Sharks First-Round Draft

The San Jose Sharks drafted Will Smith and Quentin Musty as their first-round picks in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Smith was selected as the No. 4 overall player. Matvei Michkov was available, but Sharks GM Mike Grier elected to go with Smith.

"It's unbelievable. Trying to kind of soak it in right now and just can't wait to see my family and kind of celebrate with them," Smith said. "I can't wait just to go to development camp. I already met a legend, Patrick Marleau, so it was pretty cool."

"I think my playmaking," Smith said when asked what he can bring to San Jose. "I think that's what kind of makes my game is my vision and my hockey sense. So when I think that when that's rolling, that's when I'm at my best."

"I'm pretty sure [my dad] said, I'm just so proud of you, and I love you. I mean, it was pretty special."

With the No. 26 pick in the draft, the San Jose Sharks took OHL winger Quentin Musty—a high-speed and competitive player. 

"No other words really describe it, just unbelievable," Musty told the media. "It was a big relief when [I] heard my name called, and just getting to spend that moment with my family was great."

"My dad's a big fan [of Grier], growing up in Buffalo. I didn't get to watch a whole lot of him. From what I've seen and heard, he's a great guy and, obviously, changed my life today. So I appreciate that."

"I've never been to California, and I'm super excited to get there and check it out. From what I've heard, it's a great spot."

Grier, Director of Amateur Scouting Chris Morehouse, and Director of Player Personnel Scott Fitzgerald met with the media following round one of the NHL Draft.

"It's easy to notice and see Will's ability. His hockey sense. His skill set. But there's a lot of fire between his ears," Morehouse said. "I think when you've got a chance to sit down with him to go through the process, we have over the last couple of months, really digging into his character. That's a huge part of it for us. I think when you have that level of talent, and you make other players around you that much better on the ice, and you back it up with that competitive fire and wanting to be the best, that's a really nice package to have. So obviously, we're thrilled, and we think Will is going to be a fantastic player."

"[Musty] has size, reach. He has skill. He can score goals. I think in the second half of the year; he took off a little bit in Sudbury. When you see him and meet him, he's a big boy. We're just thrilled to have that talent along with the size and the reach and also the ability to score," Morehouse said.

"Yeah, regardless of size, we want all our players out of pushback, right," Fitzgerald said. "That's the main component of what we're trying to do here is have competitive skill, regardless of size. I mean, it's a prerequisite."

"We're really happy with Will," Grier said regarding passing on Michkov. "We were hoping he would be there, and he was, so I think as a staff, we couldn't be happier."

"The Michkov thing, it is what it is. We had some concerns. He is a special talent on the ice. There's no doubt about that. Super skilled. Can do things a lot of other players can't, but you know, there are some things that we weren't completely satisfied with to be able to take someone with a fourth overall pick."

Overall a successful day, according to the San Jose Sharks front office. 

Rounds 2-7 will start tomorrow at 8 a.m. PST and be on NHL Network and streaming on ESPN+.