Jackson Smith is an 18-year-old left-shooting defenseman who spent the 2024-25 season with the Tri-City Americans. Smith is 6’3″ and was born on May 13, 2007, in Calgary, Alberta. He is projected to be drafted in the top 20 during the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Draft Projections
#16 Inside the Rink
#10 TSN Bob McKenzie
#13 NHL Central Scouting North American Skaters
Diving Deeper
Smith spent the 2024-25 season with the Tri-City Americans and finished the year with 11 goals and 43 assists over 68 games played. He was also invited to play for Team Canada for the U-18 WJC and finished the tournament with five points (4G, 1A) over seven games.
Hockey IQ
Smith has impressive puck moving abilities, and is defensively strong on and off the puck due to his size and stick handling skills. His zone exits are one of his strongest points in his game play, he is consistently able to get his stick on the puck and move it up the ice. He is able to contribute offensively, making him a strong player in all three zones which is a highly coveted skill in defenseman.
He’s physical, he skates so well, and he’s as mobile as it gets for a 6-foot-3 defenseman. I also think his hockey sense is great, and it’s only a matter of time until he finds a way to explode offensively. Scouts see him as a top-four defenseman who can play a bunch of different roles. He should be an impact player on Canada’s World Junior team next year, too, which will help his overall profile.
Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff
Areas for Improvement
Smith has the size and the strength needed for a blue liner, but he could use some development when it comes to defensive-zone turnovers. However, this is something that can be worked on through training, making him able to maintain his top four defenseman status.
Final Thoughts
Despite his few weaknesses, Jackson Smith is gifted in all areas of the game, he is a highly talented puck moving defenseman and is able to play a solid two-way game. He will likely end up somewhere in a top-four pairing in the NHL, though there is a possibility for him to be on a top-pairing.
ITR 42: Ripe For Repeat? – Inside The Rink
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