Top prospect Smith set to make big career decision
Sharks prospect Will Smith is soon going to be faced with a life-changing decision.
Either the sensational Boston College freshman, who led all NCAA Division I players in scoring before this week, is going to turn pro and sign with the Sharks sometime over the next few days, or he'll opt to remain in school for one more year.
Smith, 19, and the top-ranked Eagles faced Michigan Thursday night in the second semifinal of the Frozen Four in St. Paul. Minn., where he scored the game's first two goals. The game was still in progress when this newspaper went to press. The winner faces Denver, a 2-1 winner over Boston University, in Saturday's title game.
Smith, drafted fourth overall by the Sharks last year, came into the week with a staggering 69 points in 39 games to pace Boston College, which owned a 33-5-1 record and a 14-game winning streak.
“He's got a lot of abilities, but his awareness of space and how to create space for his teammates is something that's really special for a young kid,” Boston College coach Greg Brown said of Smith. “He can really see things that not a lot of kids see, especially that young.”
Sharks general manager Mike Grier is not in Minnesota this week, a team spokesman said. But Grier said in January that he, Smith, his representative, and other members of the Sharks' front office would all sit down once BC's season ends and decide what is best for the
6-foot, 181-pound centerman.
“We'll talk and see how he's feeling about his game and how he feels about himself physically,” Grier said.
Smith's decision to turn pro might not be a simple one.
If Boston College falls short of a championship, he and some of his teammates, particularly the other drafted freshmen, could decide that there's some unfinished business and want to come back for at least one more season.
But there's also the allure of starting a pro career.
Smith would burn a year of his three-year entry-level contract right away if he signs with the Sharks, not to mention pick up a nice-sized signing bonus, and be that much closer to restricted free agency.
“Anytime you can do something you love and get paid for it, it's pretty cool,” said Arizona Coyotes forward Logan Cooley, who turned pro last year after one spectacular season
with the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Cooley had 60 points in 39 games in his freshman season, during which he was a Hobey Baker finalist. He initially said in May of last year that he wanted to return to Minnesota.
But after seeing Golden Gophers teammates Matthew Knies and Brock Faber play in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and noticing how the Coyotes were taking steps to improve, Cooley, in late July, decided to turn pro.
In 79 games, Cooley is fifth on the Coyotes roster with 43 points.
“It was a tough decision. I loved my time at Minnesota, but I thought it was best.”
Cooley played with Smith on the U.S. National Development Team two years ago.
“He always knows where to be on the ice and how to find those areas where you can make a play or score,” Cooley said of Smith to this news organization. “Just his vision out there, his brain and where to be and try to find open ice. I think that's going to make him special at this level.”
“Like a good quarterback who knows exactly how hard to throw it, or a shortstop who can always get the guy out by half a step,” Brown said, “Will has that ability.”