LD Ty Smith - Spokane Chiefs, WHL (2018, 17th, NJD)

landy92mack29

Registered User
May 5, 2014
27,584
3,155
saskatchewan
I might have missed it searching but surprised the #1 pick of the 2015 bantam draft doesn't have his own thread yet. He had 2 assists in 2 games last year and started things off right with 2 assists in his 1st game this year while being the most impressive Chiefs player to me despite his age. Decent size at 5'11 170 and some have compared him to Morgan Rielly. Whether he reaches that level is to be determined but he's definitely someone to watch out for.


http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=281814
 

dechire

TBL Stanley Cup Champs 2020 2021
Jul 8, 2014
16,654
3,945
inconnu
It will be a bit of a trial by fire for him with the Chiefs as he's stepping into a big role on a team with a pretty mediocre rebuilding defense. But he seems to be doing well so far.

Also based on the eye test I doubt he's 5'11. I'd say he's closer to 5'8-9. WHL lists him as 5'10 and you usually can subtract a couple inches from those(Keanu at 5'9 lmao). Not that the exact number really matters but he's a smallish guy on the ice.
 

SmartPuck

Registered User
Mar 8, 2016
158
0
Stud. Could be his league's best defenseman as early as the second half of next year.
 

covfefe

Zoltan Poszar's Burner
Feb 5, 2014
5,234
6,298
Great pedigree but let's see how he does over the first few months here. Spokane's blueline is pretty weak as of right now so it looks like he is going to play a big role from the start.

Interesting guy to watch though, as is Addison. Both are small so there will surely be some adjustments to be made as they get used to the pace and length of the WHL season. Crazy to see two 16 year old D playing such big roles from the start in this league.
 

Get North

Registered User
Aug 25, 2013
8,472
1,364
B.C.
Excellent player. Nobody talks about him as a top 5 pick in 2018 but this kid has it all except the size. Great skating ability, great hockey sense, very good at moving the puck up and finding open teammates. Everything is good, but he's 5'9-5'10, if he grows some more he should be a top 5 pick in 2018 easily. He plays like Duncan Keith, quick feet, good skating ability and he uses that to shutdown opponents.

Smith did so well against Svechnikov when they played against each other, Svechnikov had 2 goals still, but only one goal was when Smith was out there and that was a good/lucky deflection by Svechnikov when he was going toward the net. He didn't shut him down with physicality and meanness, he just stayed inside and within 5 feet of Svechnikov, if he tried to cut inside, he would swipe the puck away, if he tried to skate around him, Smith was strong enough to push him outside and rub him out.

I think he's a top 5 pick for 2018, I don't think he is going to be dynamic offensively, but just an excellent two-way defenceman that can skate, move the puck, use his stick well, makes good decisions, and reliable defensively.
 

Patmac40

BESTPOSTERINTHEGAME
Jun 7, 2012
5,251
863
Halifax, Nova Scotia
This kid is crazy good. Really impressive in the U17.

Add Wilde and McIsaac above to the list of quality defensemen for this draft class. Still early but the back end looks stacked.
 

Scratchy

Registered User
Nov 14, 2011
133
7
He's closer to 5'11" really, and is shown strong ability at both ends. I can easily see him get more physical when he gets stronger. Hope guys like him, Merkley, McIsaac, Woo, Bouchard and on keep playing both ends and don't become stay-at-home defensemen, 3-6 guys wasting their talent, not being 1-2 defensemen for over a decade.
 

landy92mack29

Registered User
May 5, 2014
27,584
3,155
saskatchewan
any comparable with playing style? think its funny how there isn't much talk on him for a potential top 15 pick

As I said in OP he reminds me of Reilly quite a bit but think he's more advanced defensively at the same stage. Anyone with half a brain has him top 15 and personally have him 5th. As of now this is the Dahlin/Svechnikov draft so that will be the main storyline but guys like Smith/Veleno/Tkachuk/etc will get their time in the spotlight
 

Sens of Anarchy

Registered User
Jul 9, 2013
64,993
49,516
I think I was more impressed by Smith than any of Canadian D at the Hlinka. Seems like smart , steady, 2 way D. I'd pick him over Merkley at this point
 

Pavel Buchnevich

Drury and Laviolette Must Go
Dec 8, 2013
57,227
23,099
New York
I like his game, think he'll go top 10, slight outside chance of top 5. There isn't much he's not good at. I don't think you are picking a complete boom or bust guy specialist, I think you can be pretty assured you'll be getting a top 4 D with Smith. I usually think NA players are overrated, but I think Smith is going way under the radar behind Merkley, Woo, McIsaac, Wilde among NA defensemen.
 

LeafChief

Matthew Knies Enthusiast
Mar 5, 2013
14,555
22,601
Scarborough
This kid is unreal.

There will be a ton of fantastic D chosen in the first round of the 2018 draft and Smith will be one of them.
 

Skinnyjimmy08

WorldTraveler
Mar 30, 2012
22,483
11,942
He will be QBing the powerplay next year with Yamamoto on one side of him Anderson-Dolan on the other side... If anyone has the chance to watch Spokane play next year, I highly suggest it... the team is gonna be extremely exciting

Bold prediction cause he is a 17 year old, but I wouldn't doubt if he averages just over a point a game next year
 
  • Like
Reactions: HBK27

Stive Morgan

Mhm. Mhm. Mhm.
Jul 25, 2011
20,851
26,589
British Columbia
He will be QBing the powerplay next year with Yamamoto on one side of him Anderson-Dolan on the other side... If anyone has the chance to watch Spokane play next year, I highly suggest it... the team is gonna be extremely exciting

Bold prediction cause he is a 17 year old, but I wouldn't doubt if he averages just over a point a game next year

I agree. Spokane is so stacked offensively.
 

Scratchy

Registered User
Nov 14, 2011
133
7
Many in the Dub speak highly of Wo and Smith and so far at training camps both have impressed. Stronger, faster, but healthier too, ready for a long season. Don't sleep on Merkley, none of the D at the Hlinka for Canada were even mediocre. Even Bahl looked good against tough opposition. But Addison and he may be role players later on, maybe not. McIsaac, Merkley, Woo and Smith play both ends well, push the play, if all learn to shoot watch out. You can't be a #1-2 defenceman without being able to push the play and score, play like a fourth forward often.
 

dechire

TBL Stanley Cup Champs 2020 2021
Jul 8, 2014
16,654
3,945
inconnu
Smith looked very good in training camp. During the intrasquad game he had a nice wristshot goal and completely undressed two defenders in another play. Played some good defense too. Also he looks a little bit taller. Still not big like I said before but closer to average now.
 

Frk It

Mo Seider Less Problems
Jul 27, 2010
36,201
14,683
I feel like there is some weird bias going on towards small NA defenseman. Very little discussion on this kid. Very little discussion on Farrance last year. Not really that much on Girard the year before that.

But all skilled players with very good upside, IMO.
 

landy92mack29

Registered User
May 5, 2014
27,584
3,155
saskatchewan
Safe to say Smith is in for a big year as he looks significantly better than last year already. Had 1G+2A to go along with the 1st star in the 1st game of the year. 1st assist was a great stretch pass from his own end to spring Ross on a breakaway which he scored on. 2nd assist was on the pp and he had a great rush into the zone then saucer passed over to Mckay who setup Elynuik for a one timer goal. His goal was off a face off scramble where the puck went back to the point and Smith just blasted it top shelf. He was creating plays all game and playing big minutes in every situation.
 

Ship It To Vegas

Registered User
Apr 14, 2017
52
1
Was at the game last night. As above poster said he was the best player by a mile. Just as good defensively great stick and skating. One game sample size but looks like a top 5 pick.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

-->