Lloydminster local Ty Smith has joined the list of hockey players from the city to make it to the NHL, a list that includes 2018 Stanley Cup winner Braden Holtby.
On June 22nd Spokane Chiefs defenceman Ty Smith was selected 17th overall in the 2018 NHL draft by the New Jersey Devils. Smith says it was an amazing experience being called up to the stage in front of his of his family.
“Hearing your name was, ah, it was crazy. I got to stand up and give my family a hug and go up on stage and throw on the jersey and hat and meet all the guys. It was really special and having my family there made it that much better.”
Smith had grown up playing hockey in Lloydminster and says the sport continues to grow in the city.
“Lloydminster is a great hockey town and I was thankful to have grown up there and learned about the game and development in Lloydminster.”
There have been several Lloydminster players that have gone up the NHL, Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby being the most notable. Ty Smith says that a lot of the kids look up to him and it would be cool to be at that level one day but getting drafted was just the first step.
“It would be pretty special if one day that was me playing hockey in the National Hockey League and there were kids from Lloyd kinda watching me and looking up to me.”
Smith will have a busy couple months with prospects camp in New Jersey on July 9th, a potential invitation to the world juniors summer showcase camp and training camp with the Spokane Chiefs. The defenseman says he is hoping to make the Devils team after the main training camp around August but is guessing he will be back with the Spokane Chiefs next season.