The Tri-City Americans have lost a significant piece of their team heading into the 2025-26 season. As was rumoured for weeks, defenceman Jackson Smith will be departing the WHL and joining Penn State University. The 18-year-old was projected to be one of the top defenders in the WHL next season, as he is expected to be a high pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. In a post on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/p/DK7pjRHyBUE/?img_index=1], Smith wrote, "I am excited to announce my commitment to play NCAA Division 1 hockey at Penn State University for the 2025-2026 season. I want to thank my family, friends and advisors who helped me through this process. I can’t wait to get started in Hockey Valley!" Smith was dynamic during his time with the Americans. He recorded 85 points in 136 games and participated in this year's CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Smith also represented his country at the 2025 U18s, recording five points in seven games. Jackson Smith of the Tri-City Americans (Photo Credit: Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds/WHL) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7c88594a-6e60-4af5-aab6-0ac11fb95585.jpeg] Jackson Smith of the Tri-City Americans (Photo Credit: Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds/WHL) Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Cameron Schmidt [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/2025-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-cameron-schmidt] 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Matthew Gard [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/2025-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-matthew-gard] McKenna, Catton & DuPont Capture 2024-25 CHL Awards [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/mckenna-catton-dupont-capture-2024-25-chl-awards] 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Braeden Cootes [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/2025-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-braeden-cootes] 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Ben Kindel [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/2025-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-ben-kindel] The Hockey News [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/4ade60a4-0b3c-4faa-890a-98eee1605fc6.webp] The Hockey News
