Lightning select D Roman Schmidt with pick No. 96

Schmidt most recently played for the U.S. National U18 team

July 24, 2021

After waiting seven hours over two days to make its first selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning took Roman Schmidt, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound, right-shot defenseman from Midland, Mich., in the Third Round, 96th overall.

Schmidt is a member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He skated in 48 games with the U-18 team during the 2020-21 season and registered three goals and 14 points. Schmidt appeared in all five games for the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championship, registering two penalty minutes.
The 18-year-old Schmidt was initially committed to play collegiately at Boston University but signed with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League in June.
Schmidt was ranked 58th overall among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada and lists his hockey hero as Victor Hedman.
Photo by Rena Laverty