Jackson Smith participates in Program of Excellence summer meetings
Americans defenseman Jackson Smith was one of 66 players invited to participate in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence Meetings in preparation for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
“This impressive group of athletes is an excellent representation of the talent pool in our country, and these meetings were a great opportunity to kick off a new season and begin our preparations for two major international events,” said Regina Pats vice-president of hockey operations and general manager Alan Millar, who oversaw the meetings as Hockey Canada director of player personnel. “This was a great opportunity to introduce prospective national team players to the Program of Excellence and help prepare them for international competition.”
Smith was selected second-overall by Tri-City in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. He competed with Edge School U18 Prep for the 2022-23 season, collecting nine points (five goals, four assists) over 16 games. The six-foot-three and 181-pound blueliner added four goals in five playoff games and helped lead his team earn a CSSHL U18 championship. Smith joined the Americans for six regular season games as an affiliate player and contributed two assists.
