Will Smith’s Rookie Journey: Overcoming Adversity with the San Jose Sharks
SAN JOSE – as the San Jose Sharks embarked on a five-game road trip, rookie forward will Smith stood out not just for his sharp burgundy suit but for his resilience in the face of early career challenges. The 19-year-old, drafted fourth overall in 2023, is navigating the highs and lows of his first NHL season, a journey marked by both promise and growing pains.
Smith’s recent struggles came to a head during the Sharks’ 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild, where he was benched for the final 25 minutes after a pair of miscues along the boards led to wild scoring chances.One of those errors resulted in a goal by Matt Boldy, which shifted the momentum in Minnesota’s favor.
“Just got to be better on the walls and make better plays, to be honest,” Smith said Monday, reflecting on the feedback from the coaching staff. “Just limit the mistakes.”
Despite the setback, the Sharks remain committed to smith’s development. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky confirmed that the young forward will stay with the NHL team rather than being sent to the AHL. “He’s going to stay here,” Warsofsky said. “He’s going to play against Detroit, and we’re going to keep working with him.”
The morning after the benching, Smith was back on the ice early, focusing on improving his play along the boards and adjusting to his new role as a winger.Transitioning from center, where he excelled during his freshman season at Boston College, has been no small feat. At 181 pounds, Smith is frequently enough matched against heavier opponents, adding another layer of difficulty to his rookie campaign.“Just getting back to the basics here. Play with the puck, play towards his strengths,” Warsofsky explained. “We went out there early, worked with him, just on wall plays, picking pucks up off the yellow (kickplate) and playing with the puck, and his skating. Just got some low confidence right now, so we’ve got to help him.”
Smith’s adjustment to the NHL has been a stark contrast to his dominant college performance, where he led all NCAA Division I players with 71 points in 41 games. This season, he has recorded just 14 points in 38 games, including a seven-game goal drought.
“It’s obviously tough, but the pucks will eventually go in,” Smith said, maintaining a positive outlook. “Not to worried about it. It’s the best league in the world. They’re eventually going to go in. Sometimes (goals) come in waves. One goes in, you kind of get the confidence going, and more start going in. But once that one comes, it’d be good.”
The Sharks’ patience with Smith reflects their long-term vision for the young forward. As part of their development plan, they are giving him time to grow into his role and regain his confidence.
Key Takeaways: Will Smith’s Rookie Season
Table of Contents
| Category | Details |
|————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Position | Transitioning from center to winger |
| Recent Performance | 14 points in 38 games; 3 points in last 15 games; 7-game goal drought |
| Challenges | Struggles along the boards; adjusting to heavier opponents |
| Coaching Support | Early morning practice sessions focused on wall plays and puck control |
| Outlook | Sharks committed to keeping Smith in the NHL for continued development |
as Smith prepares to face the Detroit Red Wings,the Sharks are hopeful that their investment in his growth will pay dividends. For now, the rookie remains focused on the basics, trusting that his hard work will eventually translate into success on the ice.For more updates on Will Smith’s journey and the San Jose Sharks’ season, follow their official news and stats page here.
At just 19 years old, Will Smith is already making waves in the NHL, but his journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Since signing an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks in May 2024, Smith has been navigating the highs and lows of professional hockey, learning what it takes to compete at the highest level.
A Season of Growth and Challenges
Smith’s rookie season has been a rollercoaster.After being sidelined for select games earlier in the year to manage his health and development, he has since played in 13 consecutive games following his return from injury in mid-December. The Sharks’ institution has been cautious with their young star, often resting him during the second half of back-to-back games to ensure he stays healthy and continues to refine his skills.
However, as Smith’s coach, Ryan warsofsky, noted, the team’s approach to his development remains fluid.“We have a plan. I’m not going to really delve into it,” Warsofsky said. “We haven’t talked about (sending him to the AHL).”
Warsofsky emphasized that Smith’s struggles are part of the natural progression for a young player. “He’ll bounce back. It’s a 19-year-old kid. He’s going through part of his development where a lot of times it happens when you’re in college,it happens when you’re in the American League. For whatever reason, it’s happened in the National Hockey League, and it’s tough. It’s a tough league to play in.”
Learning from a legend
Off the ice, Smith has found a mentor in Patrick Marleau, the Sharks’ legendary forward who also began his NHL career as a teenager.Smith currently lives with Marleau’s family, and the two have developed a close relationship.
“I talk to him all the time,” Smith said of Marleau. “Just at family dinners and stuff like that, I’m always asking questions about his time in the NHL. Obviously, he’s a legend, and he worked out just fine.”
marleau’s guidance has been invaluable as Smith adjusts to the demands of professional hockey. “You’ve got to be ready to go every night,” Smith said. “So just becuase you have one bad game doesn’t mean it’s going to ruin everything. Got to put it behind you and get ready for the next one.”
The Road Ahead
as Smith approaches his 20th birthday, he’s gaining a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in the NHL.Warsofsky believes these early challenges will ultimately benefit the young forward.
“I’m sure he’ll look back on this,and whether that’s in 20 games,or in 60 games,or whenever it might be,and probably be happy that he kind of went through it in a sense because it’s such a good learning moment,” Warsofsky said. “He’s going to go through it again. (Macklin Celebrini’s) going to go through it. All of our young guys … have had blocks and speed bumps and getting through that, and mentally getting through it, is a challenge.”
Key Takeaways: Will Smith’s NHL Journey
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Age | 19 years old (turning 20 in two months) |
| Games Played | 13 consecutive games as mid-December return from injury |
| Development Strategy | Managed rest days, especially during back-to-back games |
| Mentorship | Living with Patrick Marleau’s family, learning from the NHL legend |
| Coach’s viewpoint | Challenges are part of development; Smith is expected to bounce back |
Smith’s journey is a testament to the resilience required to thrive in the NHL. With the support of his team, coaches, and mentors like Marleau, he’s poised to turn these early struggles into stepping stones for a triumphant career.
For more insights into the Sharks’ young talent and their development strategies, check out the latest updates on the San Jose Sharks’ official website.
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What do you think about Will Smith’s development so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
At just 19 years old, Will Smith is already making waves in the NHL, but his journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Since signing an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks in May 2024, Smith has been navigating the highs and lows of professional hockey, learning what it takes to compete at the highest level.
A Season of Growth and Challenges
Smith’s rookie season has been a rollercoaster. After being sidelined for select games earlier in the year to manage his health and progress, he has since played in 13 consecutive games following his return from injury in mid-December. The Sharks’ association has been cautious with their young star, frequently enough resting him during the second half of back-to-back games to ensure he stays healthy and continues to refine his skills.
However, as Smith’s coach, Ryan Warsofsky, noted, the team’s approach to his development remains fluid. “We have a plan. I’m not going to really delve into it,” Warsofsky said. “we haven’t talked about (sending him to the AHL).”
warsofsky emphasized that Smith’s struggles are part of the natural progression for a young player. “he’ll bounce back. It’s a 19-year-old kid. he’s going through part of his development where a lot of times it happens when you’re in college, it happens when you’re in the minors, but he’s doing it in the NHL. It’s a tough league, and he’s learning on the fly.”
Overcoming adversity on the Ice
Smith’s recent struggles came to a head during the Sharks’ 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild, where he was benched for the final 25 minutes after a pair of miscues along the boards lead to Wild scoring chances. One of those errors resulted in a goal by Matt Boldy,which shifted the momentum in minnesota’s favor.
“Just got to be better on the walls and make better plays,to be honest,” Smith said Monday,reflecting on the feedback from the coaching staff. “Just limit the mistakes.”
Despite the setback, the Sharks remain committed to Smith’s development. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky confirmed that the young forward will stay with the NHL team rather than being sent to the AHL. “he’s going to stay here,” Warsofsky said. “He’s going to play against Detroit,and we’re going to keep working with him.”
Adjusting to a New Role
The morning after the benching, Smith was back on the ice early, focusing on improving his play along the boards and adjusting to his new role as a winger. Transitioning from center, where he excelled during his freshman season at Boston College, has been no small feat. At 181 pounds,Smith is frequently matched against heavier opponents,adding another layer of difficulty to his rookie campaign.
“Just getting back to the basics here. Play with the puck, play towards his strengths,” Warsofsky explained. “We went out there early, worked with him, just on wall plays, picking pucks up off the yellow (kickplate) and playing with the puck, and his skating. Just got some low confidence right now, so we’ve got to help him.”
A Stark Contrast to College Dominance
Smith’s adjustment to the NHL has been a stark contrast to his dominant college performance, where he led all NCAA Division I players with 71 points in 41 games. This season, he has recorded just 14 points in 38 games, including a seven-game goal drought.
“It’s obviously tough, but the pucks will eventually go in,” Smith said, maintaining a positive outlook. “Not too worried about it. It’s the best league in the world. They’re eventually going to go in. Sometimes (goals) come in waves. One goes in, you kind of get the confidence going, and more start going in. But once that one comes, it’d be good.”
Key Takeaways: Will Smith’s Rookie Season
| Category | Details |
|————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Position | Transitioning from center to winger |
| Recent Performance | 14 points in 38 games; 3 points in last 15 games; 7-game goal drought |
| Challenges | Struggles along the boards; adjusting to heavier opponents |
| Coaching Support | Early morning practice sessions focused on wall plays and puck control |
| Outlook | Sharks committed to keeping Smith in the NHL for continued development |
As Smith prepares to face the Detroit Red Wings, the Sharks are hopeful that their investment in his growth will pay dividends. For now, the rookie remains focused on the basics, trusting that his hard work will eventually translate into success on the ice.
For more updates on Will Smith’s journey and the San Jose Sharks’ season,follow their official news and stats page here.
