Potential Flyers Pick Has Massive Game for USA

Will Smith’s hat-trick propels the United States past Slovakia and into the championship versus Sweden.

A projected top 10 pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Will Smith carried the U.S. to their second championship game in as many years. This year, they’re looking for revenge as they lost 6-4 versus Sweden in the gold-medal game last year.

Born March 17, 2005, Smith leads the tournament in scoring with 19 points, just two shy of Nikita Kucherov’s tournament record of 21. Smith’s nine goals are also tied for tournament lead with 16 year old teammate Cole Eiserman.

Also worth mentioning that Smith is just a point away from tying Jack Hughes’s United States record of 20 points.

When asked about his achievements and the possibility of passing now NHL stars in Kucherov and Hughes, Smith had this to say:

“It’s pretty cool, I think,” Smith said. “But none of that really matters if we don’t win. So I think if that comes, it comes. We’re here for the gold.”

Most points ever at the U18s

• Nikita Kucherov 21
• Jack Hughes 20
• Toni Rajala 19
• Will Smith 18*
• Gabe Perreault 18*
• Alex Ovechkin 18
• Cole Caufield 18

These USNTDP kids are coming for Kuch.

— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) April 29, 2023

We asked Elite Prospect’s Russ Cohen about Will Smith during our last podcast episode and here’s what he told us:

“When the puck is on his stick it could be magic. He’s got really good speed. He’s a guy that never gives up and is a guy that’s always pushing.”

We certainly saw that side of Will Smith on Saturday as he exploded for three goals en route to a 7-1 route of Dalibor Dvorsky’s Slovakia side.

Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson would chip in with two assists apiece in the win. Hutson now leads all defensemen in scoring during the tournament.

NHL Draft

Will Smith’s draft value seems to be skyrocketing throughout the course of this tournament and for good reason. He’s poised to set tournament records with one game remaining. If those numbers tell us anything, it’s that Smith could be a superstar in the making.

With at least the first three picks of the NHL draft almost set in stone, some are starting to wonder if Smith has played himself into being the fourth pick in the draft. Obviously the uncertainty surrounding Matvei Michkov could make picking Smith a little easier at four.

Teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets already have their eye on Smith in the event the lottery balls don’t fall in their favor.

Here’s how the likely top six ranked players look as of today:

1. Connor Bedard
2. Adam Fantilli
3. Leo Carlsson
4. Matvei Michkov
5. Will Smith
6. Zac Benson

Jim Iacovone is the Founder and Site Manager for HW Hockey
Listen to High and Wide Radio on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
For more Flyers coverage, follow and subscribe to High & Wide Hockey on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube!