In Conversation: Chiefs captain Ty Smith
A natural leader, it comes as no surprise that Spokane Chiefs captain and New Jersey Devils first-round pick Ty Smith will guide Team WHL at the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series.
Playing under the national spotlight, the annual showcase offers competitors a chance to further impress and potentially a earn a roster spot for the upcoming world juniors. Smith chatted with Junior Hockey Magazine about his recent experiences, including NHL training camp and last year’s world juniors, and the valuable lessons he learned along the way:
Junior Hockey Magazine: Tell me about your experience at training camp with the New Jersey Devils.
Ty Smith: It was a good experience in New Jersey. I was pretty fortunate to get five preseason games. I think they gave me a pretty honest look. I definitely wasn’t my best at camp, so I wasn’t surprised with their decision to send me back to junior for another year. Obviously it’s not a good feeling to get cut from a team, especially the NHL, but at the same time I think now that I am back here I look at it as an opportunity to improve my game. I think I need to work on all areas of my game to be better and to be ready for next year and to try to make the world junior team and win a gold medal.
JHM: What were the biggest experiences for you when you were skating with NHLers during the preseason?
TS: They’re the best at what they do. They’re men, they’re physically strong, obviously very skilled, fast, and powerful. The biggest thing would be the physical strength and all the experience they have.
JHM: How did that experience make you a different and better player now with your team?
TS: It showed me that I need to continue to improve, to get back to the way I play in making plays, using my feet, skating, and continue to work on defending. I think that’s a big thing at the next level, especially for younger defenders. I think the experience in the preseason showed me that I need to continue to work and keep working hard to hopefully play in the NHL one day. Being here in Spokane, that whole experience of not making it is motivating and just shows me that I can continue to improve here.
JHM: How much did you learn from last year’s world junior experience and how much would it mean to you to get another shot to represent Team Canada?
TS: It would mean a lot to me. It’s an amazing tournament. I watched it all the time growing up, so being able to play in it for a second time would be very special to me and a pretty big honour. It’s definitely an exciting opportunity for me to try to prove that I can play again. The quarter-final loss was very tough and definitely very motivating. It kind of showed me that that tournament is so close. We were there and had our chances to beat them late and even in overtime. It kind of ended on an unfortunate play with a broken stick. That’s hockey, that’s happens, and they capitalized on it. They made a good play and scored on us for the win. They went on to win the tournament so I think that shows you that the tournament is that close and you have got to be ready for everything.
JHM: What would it mean to you to be part of the leadership group of that team?
TS: That would mean a lot to be a leader for a great team like that. It would be very special. I’ll try to get back on that team and then go from there.
JHM: How important is the CIBC Canada Russia Series for you from a development standpoint?
TS: The games are pretty important. Having an opportunity to play with the best players throughout the WHL and play against some of Russia’s best, there are a lot of good players there who will be potentially playing for the Russian world junior team. I think it should be good for my development and a good opportunity, almost like a bit of a tryout for the world junior team, so it should be fun.