Entering the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, Jackson Smith has earned lots of buzz for his play with Tri-City of the WHL this season and has put himself on many radars. Let’s take a look at his game and what he needs to do to get to the next level.
Jackson Smith Scouting Report
DOB: May 13, 2007
Height: 6-3
Weight: 190 lbs
Position: LHD
Team: Tri-City Americans
Jackson Smith is more of an athlete than a hockey player. His athleticism is off the charts, but he is currently incredibly raw.
Smith’s skating is choppy to the point where it sometimes looks as if he is trying to run on the ice rather than take a stride. He lacks any true speed due to the lack of burst caused by his choppy skating mechanics, putting him at a disadvantage in chase-downs or foot races. Smith struggles to cross over, leading to him being a step late or finding himself out of position when defending. He struggles to recover with his slow speed and instead relies on his body to try and separate a player from the puck. It doesn’t help that Smith lacks discipline. After he does catch up to a player, he will try to finish his check, even if it’s late, resulting in penalty troubles.
Jackson Smith’s physicality is a plus, as he finishes all of his hits and boxes out the net-front well, utilizing his superior strength on younger players. However, against more matured players, he may have some hiccups. Smith is willing to stand in lanes to block shots and generally is in the right position to make a play on the attacker. His skating hinders his defensive game so much, and he needs to improve to advance to the next level.
Offensively, Smith loves to jump in the rush and can be useful as a trailer. As a puck carrier, he doesn’t flash much potential, as players more skilled with their sticks can swipe the puck away. Smith can be caught leaving the puck open on his stick rather than shielding it and he is easily pushed off the puck, as a solid shoulder will cause him to lose inside positioning. Smith’s shot doesn’t have much power behind it due to a lack of weight transfer, but he does have enough velocity on it to cause an effective rebound. He is accurate enough to hit the corners or put the puck 14” off the ice for a tip and he will be able to get his lucky bounces for some goals.
Overall, Jackson Smith is going to need a team that is patient enough to let him develop as a skater. His lack of discipline may derail that, but if everything is to go right in his development, his upside is to become a Noah Juulsen-style player.
Check back here at RecruitScouting.com for more coverage of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and beyond as the year goes on.
