Bowling Green State University Athletics
Adam Smith Drafted By The Nashville Predators
June 25, 2016 | Ice Hockey
Bowling Green, Ohio – Bowling Green State University sophomore defenseman Adam Smith was selected by the Nashville Predators in the seventh round of Saturday's 2016 NHL Draft. Smith, who joined the Falcons midway through the 2016 season, is expected to be one of three BGSU draftees on the 2016-17 roster.
Smith joins junior defenseman Mark Friedman and freshman goalie Ryan Bednard among players who have been selected in the NHL Draft. Friedman was a third round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2014 and Bednard was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round in 2015. It is the first time the Falcons have been represented in three consecutive NHL Drafts since the program had players drafted in four straight from 2004-07 (Jimmy Spratt in 2004, Jonathan Sigalet in 2005, Jonathan Matsumoto in 2006 and Nick Eno in 2007).
"This is a dream come true," Smith said. "I'm extremely excited and I can't wait to get to Nashville for development camp, but I'm also really excited for the upcoming season in Bowling Green. I can't thank my coaches in both Newmarket and Bowling Green enough for everything they've done to help me get drafted."
After a pair of defensemen defections just prior to the start of the 2015-16 season, Smith joined the program at the midpoint of the season, enrolling at BGSU in time for the spring semester. He had signed his National Letter of Intent in November of 2015 as a member of the Newmarket Hurricanes of the OJHL. Smith played in 22 of the team's final 23 games, posting a goal and two assists and a +4 on-ice rating. Smith also blocked 18 shots and his lone goal came in a two-point night in a 6-2 win over Alaska Anchorage Jan. 22. That effort came just one night after scoring his first career point in an identical 6-2 win over the Seawolves.
"Adam is a great kid who is just starting to realize how good he can be," BGSU Head Coach Chris Bergeron said. "He is willing to work hard and be a student of the game. Nashville got themselves a good one."
Smith is the 65th player in program history to be selected in the NHL Draft. He is part of a program that has won a combined 45 games over the past two seasons (13th-most in the country during that span), was ranked as high as No. 6 nationally in the 2014-15 season, and has advanced to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) semifinals in three consecutive years.
Smith joins junior defenseman Mark Friedman and freshman goalie Ryan Bednard among players who have been selected in the NHL Draft. Friedman was a third round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2014 and Bednard was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round in 2015. It is the first time the Falcons have been represented in three consecutive NHL Drafts since the program had players drafted in four straight from 2004-07 (Jimmy Spratt in 2004, Jonathan Sigalet in 2005, Jonathan Matsumoto in 2006 and Nick Eno in 2007).
"This is a dream come true," Smith said. "I'm extremely excited and I can't wait to get to Nashville for development camp, but I'm also really excited for the upcoming season in Bowling Green. I can't thank my coaches in both Newmarket and Bowling Green enough for everything they've done to help me get drafted."
After a pair of defensemen defections just prior to the start of the 2015-16 season, Smith joined the program at the midpoint of the season, enrolling at BGSU in time for the spring semester. He had signed his National Letter of Intent in November of 2015 as a member of the Newmarket Hurricanes of the OJHL. Smith played in 22 of the team's final 23 games, posting a goal and two assists and a +4 on-ice rating. Smith also blocked 18 shots and his lone goal came in a two-point night in a 6-2 win over Alaska Anchorage Jan. 22. That effort came just one night after scoring his first career point in an identical 6-2 win over the Seawolves.
"Adam is a great kid who is just starting to realize how good he can be," BGSU Head Coach Chris Bergeron said. "He is willing to work hard and be a student of the game. Nashville got themselves a good one."
Smith is the 65th player in program history to be selected in the NHL Draft. He is part of a program that has won a combined 45 games over the past two seasons (13th-most in the country during that span), was ranked as high as No. 6 nationally in the 2014-15 season, and has advanced to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) semifinals in three consecutive years.
Players Mentioned
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