Smith and Koch make the most of their rookie season
by Annie Fowler
KENNEWICK — Being a rookie in the Western Hockey League can be a tough gig.
Players are leaving home for the first time, sometimes to another country, and to a place they may not know another person.
Tri-City Americans rookies Jackson Smith and Cash Koch encountered two of the three obstacles, but the Calgary, Alberta, natives, who learned to skate together when they were 4 years old, embraced the journey together.
“It was definitely a little weird,” Smith said. “To know I was going to be gone for eight months was a little intimidating. The guys and billets were so good to me that it made it easier. Living with Cash made it easier. I knew who he was, I could be myself.”
Koch and Smith had been to Kennewick for rookie camp the year before, and were called up during the season for a few games, helping the transition this season go a little smoother.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Koch said. “Going down last year a couple of times helped a ton. I had the same billets (Colleen and Brent Smith) when I was there last year and that was a bit of a comfort. As soon as I got there and saw the boys, the nerves went away. Living with Jackson was like having family there. Someone super close to me helped a ton. We have known each other our whole lives pretty much.”
Both players were taken by the Americans in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft, with Smith, 17, going second overall, and Koch 24th.
“Everyone I knew that got drafted was in Canada,” Koch said. “I was excited to see a different county. I was excited to get drafted there. It exceeded all my expectations. I loved everything there, especially the weather. There’s hardly any snow.”
During their rookie season, they made an impact on the team. Smith, a defenseman, had eight goals, 29 assists and 41 penalty minutes in 62 games, Of his eight goals, six were on the power play. He was named the Americans’ rookie of the year.
“I didn’t have a great first half,” Smith said. “I didn’t have the confidence I usually have. Cash had a great start. I came back after break, played my game and I thought I played really well. I was ready for what was going to happen. It’s a bit of a jump from midget to the WHL, but after a few games I adjusted, and in the second half I turned it on. I was pretty happy with it.”
A left wing, Koch, 17, was named the Americans’ Hardest Working Player. Over the course of 68 games, he had 10 goals,13 assists and 60 penalty minutes.
“I felt I put a pretty good stepping block for myself for this year,” Koch said. “I accomplished quite a bit. You get the time you get, and you get to play the game you love. I was expecting to get a little less time, but I got a lot. You are given the ice time you deserve and earn. That’s how I thought of it.”
Smith and Koch came to Kennewick with sterling resumés, having won the U18 championship together at Edge Hockey Academy in 2023.
“We played at Edge for two years together,” Koch said. We learned to skate together, we played Tim Bits (ages 5-6) together. We have always been on the same team. Our parents have grown together too. They have built a good relationship.”
The players were coached by their dads — Sterling Koch and Wade Smith — until they were 11 years old.
“He was my favorite coach growing up,” Smith said of his dad. “He was tough on me, but that transformed me into who I am. Cash’s dad was a good coach as well. It was nice to have him around. In the long run it helped me. Made me the player I am and I’m thankful for that.”
Wade Smith, a forward, played for the Americans for a hot minute during the 1989-90 season.
He showed up in Kennewick after a trade from Swift Current, and played 15 games with the likes of Stu Barnes, Olie Kolzig and Brian Sakic.
In his time with the Americans, he had two assists and 50 penalty minutes. He was later traded to Moose Jaw.
“Before the draft, we were talking about teams,” Jackson Smith said. He said he played for Tri and he liked it. When I took him on a tour of the rink, he didn’t recognize much. He didn’t have as much skill as me, but he could throw hands. He knew how to fight.”
With their rookie season behind them, Smith and Koch are already putting in the work for next season.
“We didn’t finish how we wanted to, but we have a good team coming back,” Koch said. “The younger guys came in and got to bond with us. We build it from there. We are building for the next few years to come.”
Smith said his first year was more than he could have asked for.
“I loved it there,” he said. “It’s really nice weather, you can golf a lot of the year, and the 20-year-olds were unbelievable. I was worried about adjusting to the older guys. It was a good first year and a great experience. I can see myself playing my whole career there.”
Smith also is encouraged by the amount of former Tri-City players who have gone on to play in the NHL and in Europe.
“There are a lot of good players who come out of Tri-City,” he said. “They know how to make players into something great. Hopefully I can be one of them.”
Koch agreed.
“When they produce that much (NHL players), that says a lot,” he said. “You put in the work, you can get somewhere like that.”
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