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// JULY 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM
PHOTO BY Getty Images
NHL
O F F
T HE
D R AW
I
t was quite the week
for Will Smith. First,
S m i t h w a s n a m e d t h e
recipient of USA Hockey's
Bob Johnson Award for
the 2022-23 season on June 27.
Named for coaching legend Bob
Johnson, the award recogniz-
es excellence in international
hockey competition for a specific
season of play.
Smith then heard his name
called at the 2023 NHL Draft
when the San Jose Sharks select-
ed him fourth overall one day
later, and he proceeded to rap
the lyrics to the theme song of
the "Fresh Prince Of Bel Air "
live on ESPN.
The Lexington, Mass., native
was one of the biggest standouts
this past year for Team USA.
In April, Smith helped lead
t h e 2 0 2 3 U. S. M e n 's U n d e r -
1 8 N a t i o n a l Te a m t o Te a m
USA's first g old medal at the
I I H F U n d e r-1 8 Me n 's Wo r l d
Championship since 2017, pac-
ing the tournament in points
(20) and goals (9).
N a m e d t o u r n a m e n t M V P,
Smith averaged 2.86 points per
game in helping the U.S. to wins
in each of its seven games in the
tournament. He was also named
to the Media All-Star Team and
took home the IIHF Directorate
Award for best forward.
Smith spent the 2022-23 sea-
son skating for USA Hockey 's
National Team Development
Program's Under-18 Team and
finished with 127 points (51G,
76 A ) t o l a n d s e c o n d o n t h e
NTDP's single-season points
list. He completed his two-year
NTDP career with 191 career
points (82G, 109A), second only
to Jack Hughes.
Smith is committed to skate
at Boston College for the 2023-
24 season.
P
The Fresh Prince
Will Smith Wins Bob Johnson Award
And Is Then Selected Fourth Overall At
The NHL Draft
VIDEO: 2023 NHL Draft
p Will Smith shows off his rapping skills on ESPN.
127
FINISHED WITH
POINTS
GOALS
51
ASSISTS
76
