The Blackhawks Will Not Be Disappointed if They Don't Land Connor Bedard

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Joshua Deeds
May 6, 2023 (1:22)

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A talented young player named Will Smith has been receiving praise for his impressive performance in the 2023 U18 World Tournament. Smith, who plays center, helped lead his team to the Gold Medal game with a hat-trick and ended the tournament with an impressive total of 19 points.

According to Corey Pronman, Smith is an exceptional player with excellent hockey IQ and speed. He demonstrated his ability to not only score points, but also to find passing lanes and create plays under high pressure during the World Tournament.

Will Smith is a dynamic offensive player who is centering the NTDP's top line this year and is very creative offensively while being reliable defensively. This year's U18 team in the NTDP is a bit more sparse when it comes to top-notch draft prospects, with Smith being one of just four prospects who are generally considered to be first-round level talents. Smith is an above average skater, especially when it comes to maneuverability, which gives him an advantage in all three zones. He's agile enough to quickly switch coverage on defense and usually fast enough to separate himself from defenders on the rush at the junior level.

If drafted, Smith has the potential to become a valuable asset to his team. While he may need to work on certain aspects of his game, he is definitely a prospect worth considering..

Will Smith � 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile