San Jose, California — Will Smith lit up the arena on Thursday night as he netted his first NHL goal during the first period, causing an eruption of cheers from the crowd. His smile beamed on the jumbotron, capturing the excitement of the moment.
“Finally,” Smith exclaimed to the fans after the game, expressing his relief.
Although Smith, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, may not have received as much attention as fellow rookie Macklin Celebrini, his potential significance to the franchise is undeniable. At just 19 years old, Smith is viewed as an integral part of the Sharks’ future.
On opening night, he filled the role of center on the second line behind Celebrini. Smith watched as the 18-year-old Celebrini, the first overall pick and a highly anticipated player, scored his first NHL goal just minutes into the game. However, after 20 days had passed without Smith recording any points, he faced challenges. Having played in eight out of 11 games, he entered Thursday’s match with only 11 total shots, a troubling plus-minus of minus-4, and was struggling to adjust to the pace of the NHL.
Despite his difficulties on the ice, the Sharks remained confident in Smith’s abilities. General Manager Mike Grier expressed that he felt Smith would find his rhythm once he managed to register a point, while Coach Ryan Warsofsky acknowledged the frustration surrounding Smith without showing any signs of panic.
“It’s probably the heaviest weight he’s ever had in his life on his shoulders,” Warsofsky noted about the pressure Smith faced.
Smith’s potential was on full display during the Sharks’ 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks that night, marking their third consecutive win. In the first period, he received a cross-ice pass from teammate Luke Kunin and unleashed a rapid wrist shot, landing it over the right shoulder of Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek before the goalie could react.
“Before the season started, I mentioned that there would be ups and downs,” Smith reflected. “It began early, but I kept getting chances. Eventually, it had to go in.”
In the second period, he put the Sharks ahead 3-2 with another impressive wrist shot during a power play, which deflected off the crossbar and into the net.
“You knew it was only a matter of time for a player so skilled and dynamic like him; unfortunately for us, it happened tonight,” commented Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson.
A talent originating from Boston College, Smith showcased his scoring abilities last season in the NCAA, finishing with an impressive 71 points and 46 assists. He entered the NHL as part of a much-anticipated pairing with Celebrini, bringing renewed hope to a Sharks team that struggled last season with the league’s worst record. Smith’s two-goal performance on Thursday even made him the youngest Sharks player since Patrick Marleau in 1999 to score multiple goals in a game.
Despite early setbacks this season, Smith maintained his confidence, having boldly predicted his first goal before the game during an interview on the Sharks’ radio network.
“For him to get recognized with two big highlight-reel goals is great to see; he has worked hard to earn this,” said Warsofsky. “We have challenged him to improve in numerous areas, and it’s rewarding to see him achieve this tonight.”
As Celebrini inches closer to recovery from a lower-body injury, the Sharks are optimistic that these young talents can help build positive momentum for the team in the current season.