The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is defenceman Jackson Smith, who plays for the Tri-City Americans.
Smith is considered one of the top defensemen available in this year's draft. Listed at 6'3", 190 lbs, he posted 54 points in 68 games, which ranked 10th among WHL defenders this year. Smith has also won multiple Gold Medals with Team Canada, with his most recent coming during this year's U18s.
What makes Smith a can't-miss prospect is his puck-handling ability. He can transition the puck into the offensive zone with ease and excels at creating scoring chances for his teammates. In the end, it is fair to call Smith a play driver as he always seemed to have the puck on his stick when Tri-City was in the offensive zone.
As for his defensive play, Smith often elects to use his physicality to separate the opposition from the puck. He has good positioning, and this season, he showed that he can win board battles at a high rate. Smith is also calm under pressure, which allows him to make smart passes when forecheckers are barreling down on him.
Lastly, Smith's skating is an attribute that stands out on a night-to-night basis. His skating ability really shines in the transition game, as he constantly eludes checks from the opposition. Smith also uses his speed to create icing calls and has demonstrated that he can beat forechecks to lose pucks that are behind his own net.
The next step in Smith's development will be becoming more patient in the offensive zone. While he is a good playmaker, he needs to work on utilizing his teammates more in order to create sustained pressure. If Smith can improve this area of his game, he should have no problem producing at the pro level.
Smith is expected to be a top-15 pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. There are very few players who have his skill set, which will make the left-shot defender a hot commodity at the end of June. In the end, it is possible that Smith could be the first WHLer to hear his name called at this year's draft.
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