Will Smith had a big smile after scoring his first NHL goal in the first period on Thursday, lighting up the jumbotron while the San Jose crowd cheered loudly.
“It’s about time,” Smith told the crowd after the game.
Smith, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, hasn’t received as much attention as Macklin Celebrini. However, at just 19 years old, Smith is also very important for the franchise’s future.
On opening night, Smith played center on the second line behind Celebrini. He watched as 18-year-old Celebrini, the top pick in this year’s draft, scored his first goal just minutes into the game.
After twenty days, Smith had not yet recorded a point, having played in eight of 11 games. He entered Thursday with only 11 total shots, a plus-minus of minus-4, and seemed to struggle with the speed of the NHL.
Despite Smith’s struggles, the Sharks continued to believe in him. General Manager Mike Grier thought Smith would feel more relaxed once he scored. Coach Ryan Warsofsky acknowledged there was frustration but no panic.
“It’s probably the heaviest weight he’s ever had in his life on his shoulders,” Warsofsky said.
His talent was clear in the Sharks’ 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, marking their third straight victory. In the first period, he received a cross-ice pass from Luke Kunin and quickly fired a wrist shot over the right shoulder of Chicago goaltender Petr Mrazek before he could react.
“Before the season, I said there would be ups and downs,” Smith said. “It started early, but I was getting chances, so it had to go in eventually.”
In the second period, Smith gave the Sharks a 3-2 lead on a power play, shooting another wrist shot past Mrazek that hit the crossbar and went in.
“I think you knew it was a matter of time when you have a guy that’s that skilled and dynamic, and unfortunately, it was against us tonight,” said Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson.
Smith, who played at Boston College, led the NCAA in scoring last season with 71 points and 46 assists before teaming up with Celebrini as an exciting pair for the Sharks, who are looking to improve after finishing with the worst record in the league last season. The Massachusetts native became the youngest Sharks player to score multiple goals in a game since Patrick Marleau in 1999.
Despite his early-season challenges, Smith has remained confident, even predicting his first goal on the Sharks’ radio network before the game.
“For him to get rewarded with the two goals, big goals, highlight reel goals … it’s nice to see, because he’s worked hard to this point,” Warsofsky said. “We’ve pushed him and challenged him to get better in a lot of different areas, and for him to get rewarded is nice.”
As Celebrini gets closer to returning from a lower-body injury, the Sharks are hopeful that these young players can bring some positive energy to the team this season.
