Ty Smith Drafted 17th Overall by New Jersey
Spokane Chiefs defenseman Ty Smith was selected by the New Jersey Devils with the 17th overall pick of 2018 NHL Entry Draft on Friday night in Dallas, Texas. He was the first Western Hockey League player chosen and seventh Chief ever picked in the first round.
Smith, a 2000-born blueliner from Lloydminster, Alta., ranked third on the Chiefs with 73 points (14G-59A) during the 2017-18 season, good for second among all WHL defensemen. He piled up an outstanding plus-44 rating, tops on Spokane and seventh in the WHL. His standout campaign put him sixth in franchise history in points by a defenseman during a single season.
His selection marks the first time in Chiefs’ history that the team has had first round NHL choices in consecutive years. Forward Kailer Yamamoto was picked 22nd overall by Edmonton last summer. Other Chiefs selected in the first round include: D Jared Cowen (9th, 2009; Ottawa), F Michael Grabner (14th, 2006; Vancouver), F Ty Jones (16th, 1997; Chicago), D Brad Ference (10th, 1997; Vancouver), F Pat Falloon (2nd, 1991; San Jose).
Smith is the second Chief ever selected by New Jersey, joining F Jay Bertsch (8th round; 1996) and D Sean Zimmerman (6th round; 2005). He’s the 24th defenseman ever picked out of Spokane and first since Brenden Kichton in 2013 (7th round; Winnipeg). He was the Chiefs’ first overall pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.
Welcome to Jersey, @_tysmith_24!
The #NJDevils have selected defenseman Ty Smith with the 17th overall pick in the 2018 #NHLDraft. pic.twitter.com/Cuxlvi3bAN
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) June 23, 2018
Ty Smith goes #17 overall to the @NJDevils! #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/v2yXdWirDC
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 23, 2018
Congratulation to @spokanechiefs defenceman @_tysmith_24, selected 17th overall by the @NJDevils! #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/5qcnBnWNno
— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 23, 2018
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Ticket packages for the 2018-19 regular season are on sale now and start as low as $70! For more information, visit spokanechiefs.com or call a ticket account executive at 509-535-PUCK.
