Jackson Smith invited to Hockey Canada World U18 Championship training camp
Kennewick, WA – The Tri-City Americans are excited to announce that defenseman Jackson Smith has been invited to Hockey Canada’s training camp for the upcoming World U18 Hockey Championship, which is being held from April 23 – May 3 in Frisco, Texas. The camp runs from April 12 – 15 in Oakville, Ontario.
Smith, from Calgary, Alberta, was drafted second overall by the Americans in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft after posting 38 points (15-23-38) in 29 games with Edge School’s U15 Prep team in Calgary.
In his rookie season in 2023-24 Smith posted 29 points (8-21-29) in 62 games. Most of his production came after the Christmas break as he scored all eight of his goals and 15 assists over the final 37 games of the year.
That season he also represented Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, posting two assists in seven games.
Before the 2024-25 season Smith once again played for Team Canada, helping them win gold at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup by recording three assists in five games during the tournament.
With the Americans Smith was a constant offensive producer, shattering his previous career highs with 54 points (11-43-54) over the 2024-25 regular season. Four of his 11 goals were game winners, including three overtime winners, and he finished the season with nine goals over the final 11 games. He then added a goal and two assists in five playoff games.
He led all 2007-born WHL defenseman in scoring and was ranked ninth among North American Skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft. Their final rankings are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
If Smith makes the final roster it would mark the fourth consecutive year the Americans have had an active member of their roster play at the event, as Max Curran represented Czechia last year and Lukas Dragicevic played for Team Canada in each of the two years prior.
