Ahead of one of the Moncton Wildcats' biggest games of the year, centerman Gabe Smith has signed on the dotted line of an entry-level-contract with the Utah Mammoth.
Smith, 18, is coming off of a 39 point season (20+19) through 52 games with the Moncton Wildcats, excelling in a physically grinding role. The 6-foot-5 centerman was the then Utah Hockey Club's 103rd overall poick in the 2024 NHL draft last season.
This contract is well-earned, given Smith's impressive post-season where he's amassed 22 points (6+12) through 19 games and four points (2+2) over the first three games of the Memorial Cup -- cementing himself as a big game player and potentially showing greater upside than once thought.
With the entry-level-deal in place, Smith will now no longer be eligible for an NCAA commitment, and will likely remain in junior for another season at the very least before having the option to go pro in 2026-27 or returning for an overage season.
Moncton Wildcats Look To Avenge Loss As They Face London In Memorial Cup Semi-Finals
After once again eliminating the Rimouski Océanic, this time in the Memorial Cup instead of the QMJHL playoffs, the Moncton Wildcats will look to pick up their second win of the tournament in a do-or-die game against the<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl"> London Knights</a> in the semi-finals tonight. The winner will go on to face the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/whl">WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers </a><b></b><b></b>in the finals on Sunday.
Never want to miss out on any QMJHL news? Make sure to book mark THN's QMJHL site.