Decision looms for Sharks' top prospect
How much respect has San Jose Sharks prospect Will Smith garnered during his outstanding freshman season at Boston College?
Jack Eichel, one of the most prominent former players from BC's fiercest rival, Boston University, supposedly thought Smith deserved to win the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey's top men's player — ahead of Terriers center Macklin Celebrini.
“BU alum Jack Eichel told me his vote was for Will Smith for Hobey Baker,” a reporter at Thursday's Frozen Four press conference in St. Paul, Minn. told Boston College coach Greg Brown. “What has Will meant for your team?”
Brown replied, “That's nice of Jack.”
The next reporter's question to Brown began with, “I can't wait until the BU folks hear that Jack Eichel voted for Will Smith.”
Smith, the Sharks' fourth overall selection last year who leads all NCAA Division I players in scoring, was not selected as one of the three finalists for the award (Celebrini was one). Nevertheless, it's been a fairytale season for Smith and his Boston College teammates, one they hope ends with a national championship.
Smith, 19, and the top-ranked Eagles face Michigan today in the second semifinal of the Frozen Four at Xcel Energy Center. The winner of that game will face either Boston University or Denver in Saturday's national title game.
“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, a freshman,” Brown said of Smith. “The familiarity with his linemates, so they know how to read him, also helps. But he can really see things that not a lot of kids see, especially that young.”
After Saturday's game, or following the semifinal if Boston College loses, Smith could announce his intention to return to school for his sophomore season in Chestnut Hill — or sign a contract with the Sharks and turn professional right away.
Sharks general manager Mike Grier will not be 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.
“I know he's got he's got plans to try and win it all, and probably won't, because of BU,” a prophetic Grier, a former Boston University Terrier, said over two months ago. “But after that, we'll talk and see how he's feeling about his game and how he feels about himself physically.”
Smith's decision to turn pro might not be a simple one if it is his and it hasn't already been made.
If Boston College loses in the semifinals or finals, he and some of his teammates, particularly the other drafted freshmen, could decide that there's some unfinished