Jackson SMITH

Defenseman
6’3/190
Left
Tri-City Americans/WHL

Related: Logan Hensler

Leading the debate for who the second-best defender in the draft class, the incredibly toolsy Jackson Smith has been one of the more interesting evaluations in this draft class. As a big defender who moves at a high level, Smith’s game has evolved into a more two-way defenseman. Standing at 6-foot-3, he had a strong rookie campaign in the 2023-24 season, recording 29 points (8 goals, 21 assists) in 62 games. After a strong Hlinka Gretzky Cup with Canada this past Fall, he has gotten off to a great start to the 2024-25 season with the Tri-City Americans in the WHL, scoring 24 points in 30 games. He’s using his skating and skill offensively and in transition as he has always done, but he’s learning to leverage his physicality and mobility in the defensive end more effectively. There are still some moments in which Smith’s game can get chaotic in his own end but it’s slowly becoming less of a consistent issue. The 6-foot-3 blueliner has begun to round out his overall game. If he continues to round out his game, there is a possibility that Jackson Smith becomes a top 10 and is the 2nd defenseman off the board.

Size/Strength Excellent
Skating Great
Shot/Scoring Average
Puckhandling Great
Physical Play Great
Offensive Play Good
Defensive Excellent
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Excellent

Strengths

1. He Uses his skating and skill offensively and in transition as he has always done, but he’s learning to leverage his physicality and mobility in the defensive end more effectively.
2. Is a capable all-situations player. He’s a strong, powerful skater, who can cut plays off in neutral ice by using effective gap control or a long reach.
3. big, strong, reliable defender who’s deployed in all situations and matches up against top-six opponents. Smith is a solid skater who closes the gap and is always willing to play with some edge and bite.

Weakness

1. His Shot needs to be improved if he is to be viewed as a two-way threat in the NHL.
2. Limited Offensive upside.

Scouting Report

At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Smith already has an excellent frame for his age. He’s a pain in the rear end to try and beat in 1-on-1 situations because he loves getting in your face as much as possible. He’s quite well-rounded for his age which scouts love. A big defender who moves at a high level, Smith’s game has evolved into becoming a more two-way defenseman. He’s using his skating and skill offensively and in transition as he has always done, but he’s learning to leverage his physicality and mobility in the defensive end more effectively. He’s a capable all-situations player, he’s a strong, powerful skater, who can cut plays off in neutral ice by using effective gap control or a long reach. Jackson Smith is a strong defender who can make clean breakouts and jump up into the offense to provide a real threat. His defensive stick ability is noticeable as he breaks up plays and allows his team to break out the other way quickly. Smith is a reliable defender who’s deployed in all situations and matches up against top six opponents. Smith is a solid skater who closes the gap and is always willing to play with some edge and bite. His defensive stick ability is noticeable as he breaks up plays and allows his team to break out the other way quickly. Jackson Smith’s NHL comparison is often drawn to Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues, who is a tall, rangy defenseman with excellent reach, strong defensive instincts, and the ability to play significant minutes against tough competition. Although Jackson Smith has flashes of offensive upside, he is known more for his shutdown ability and can log heavy minutes routinely. He had a strong rookie campaign in the 2023-24 season, recording 29 points (8 goals, 21 assists) in 62 games. After a strong Hlinka Gretzky Cup with Canada this past Fall, he has gotten off to a great start to the 2024-25 season with the Tri-City Americans in the WHL, scoring 24 points in 30 games. Jackson Smith has the potential to be a top 10 pick in this year’s draft because many teams picking in the top 10 need a defenseman with his skillset, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go early in the draft, despite him not be a huge point producer.

Skill: Big, strong two-way defenseman who thrives in all situations and matches up against top players

NHL Comparable: Colton Parayko

NHL Potential: Top 4 Two-way Defenseman

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2023-24	Tri-City Americans	WHL	62	8	29
	Canada Red U17	WHC-17	7	0	2
2024-25	Canada U18	Hlinka Gretzky Cup	5	0	3
	Tri-City Americans	WHL	30	2	24