{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "San Jose Sharks rookie center Will Smith has never played at Madison Square Garden until tonight and will play in front of his former U.S. National Development Program coach." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Dan Muse is an assistant coach for the New York Rangers and was Smith's head coach during his 2022-23 season with the U.S. National U-18 Team. Smith's draft season with the USNDP helped him get drafted 4th overall by the Sharks in 2023. He scored 51 goals and 76 assists in 60 games." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdWVwcOrFRw[/embed]" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\"We chatted real quick right before [morning skate],\" Smith told THN this morning. \"It's pretty funny that we were together on the U.S. team two years ago, and now we're both NHL, so it's pretty cool.\"" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Muse joined Peter Laviolette's staff in 2023 and helped the Rangers to win the President's Trophy and an Eastern Conference Final appearance. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\"I was with him when I got drafted, so he got me that point. He was a great coach there,\" Smith said. \"I stay in touch with everyone from that team. It was a pretty tight-knit team, so it was awesome.\"" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Smith said he took a moment to look around the World's Most Famous Arena this morning. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\"Probably saw the banners [first],\" Smith said. \"[Seeing the] Harry Styles and Billy Joel [banners] is pretty cool too.\"" } }, { "id": "3gew2mfv-jmmdhjun", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/Real_Max_Miller/status/1857098084594901413", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1857098084594901413", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Smith is set to play his second consecutive game on the wing for the Sharks tonight. He will also be on one of the powerplay units with Macklin Celebrini." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Former Undrafted Sharks Defenseman Announces Retirement" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Sharks' Rookie Superstars Set To Team Up Against Rangers" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\"I Didn't Like How Things Were Handled\": Sharks' Barclay Goodrow Opens Up About The End Of His Rangers Career" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Barclay Goodrow Gets Boost In Sharks Lineup Ahead Of Rangers Return" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Another Former Sharks Goalie Goes On NHL Waivers" } }, { "type": "list", "data": { "style": "unordered", "items": [ "Follow Max on Twitter: @Real_Max_Miller" ] } } ] }

Sharks' Will Smith Will Enjoy First MSG Experience With Former Coach Behind Rangers Bench