2025 NHL Draft prospect Jackson Smith commits to Penn State
One of the top prospects on the blue line is continuing his education while developing on the ice.
On Sunday, 2025 NHL Draft prospect defenseman Jackson Smith officially announced that he has committed to play for the Penn State Nittany Lions next season.
🚨🚨COMMITMENT 🚨🚨
5⭐️ defenseman and top #NHLDraft prospect Jackson Smith makes his commitment to @PennStateMHKY official. The 18-year-old, tallied 54pts (11g, 43a) in 68 games with the @TCAmericans.#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/KPHm1STTLp
It was rumored earlier this month that Smith might be making the move to the NCAA ranks, but his intentions became clear after he announced on his personal Instagram on Saturday that he wouldn’t be returning to the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans next season.
Smith joins a Penn State team that is quickly garnering a lot of national attention. With the NCAA DI Advisory Council’s decision to permit major junior players to compete in the collegiate ranks in the United States, head coach Guy Gadowsky and his staff has been very active in trying to attract big-name players from the Canadian Hockey League.
The Nittany Lions are coming off one of their best seasons in program history, advancing the Frozen Four for the first time this past spring.
It was with the Americans that Smith became one of the most touted players, let alone defenders, heading into this year’s draft. the Calgary native was picked second overall in the 2022 WHL Draft. During his rookie campaign in 2023-24, he notched a respectable 29 points. Then, in 68 games this past season, Smith registered career highs in goals (11), assists (43) and points (54), helping the Americans qualify for the playoffs.
Daily Faceoff draft expert Steven Ellis has Smith ranked as the 10th-best player heading into the 2025 draft, and the third-best defenseman behind Matthew Schaefer and Kashawn Aitcheson. Ellis admits many aspects of the 18-year-old’s game are attractive to NHL clubs.
“He’s physical, skates so well, and he’s very mobile for a 6-foot-3 defenseman,” Ellis wrote. “I also think his hockey sense is great, and it’s only a matter of time until he finds a way to explode offensively. I do think he can be a bit of a liability in his own zone at times – the U-18s saw him playing a bit nervously at times. But there’s plenty of room to progress and he looks destined to be a top-four blueliner.”
The Nittany Lions have already grabbed a few major junior players for next season, including Brampton Steelheads (OHL) forward Luka Misa and Shea Van Olm from the Spokane Chiefs (WHL).