Top ’05 Will Smith Commits to Boston College

Almost two weeks ago we learned that Neutral Zone’s top-ranked American-born 2005, Will Smith (4.75*), was no longer committed to Northeastern. On Thursday, Smith announced that he had committed to Boston College.

“I am proud to announce my commitment to play Division 1 hockey at Boston College,” Smith wrote on Instagram. “I would like to thank my family, all of my coaches, and the Boston Junior Eagles Organization for everything they have done for me. I can’t wait to continue my family’s tradition at BC. Go Eagles!”

We have Smith ranked as the top American-born 2005 and we have him as the No. 2 overall 2005-born player, only behind North Dakota commit Grayden Slipec, who is from British Columbia.

Smith, 16, has appeared in three games for the NTDP’s U18 team this season. In 16 games for the U17 team, he has nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points.

“He is a smooth, highly skilled, sharpshooter who oozes confidence,” said NZ scouts. “Like the great players, he makes difficult plays look easy; he’s always in control, he slows it down and can pick defenders apart 1v1 or he can utilize his teammates and create 2v1s and 3v2s out of even man situations. He produced both in zone and off the rush, he showed some protection along the boards and in the corners and was able to hold pucks out of defenders reach and then snap it off.”

Our scouts evaluated Smith at the NTDP evaluation camp just this past summer.

“He has all the tools; size, skating ability, stick skill, shot, passing, athleticism, hockey sense. He scored highlight-reel goals, he made sensational assists on the rush, he dangled the best defenders in the country like they were cones and he has a swagger about him that you want to see in a goal scorer. For the most part he did whatever he wanted out there; he can beat any defender, he could snap it off anywhere in the offensive zone, the power play flowed through him; he did it all. Arguably the most dynamic offensive talent in this age group and made difficult plays look easy because of how smooth and composed he plays.”