Ty Smith was selected by the New Jersey Devils with the No. 17 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, and after two additional seasons of development in the Western Hockey League, broke out in 2020-21, leading NHL rookie defensemen with 23 points (two goals, 21 assists) in 48 games.

Smith was second among WHL defensemen in 2017-18 with 73 points (14 goals, 59 assists) in 69 games for Spokane, the most points by a first-time NHL Draft-eligible defenseman since Ian White scored 73 points for Swift Current in 2001-02. Smith also set a Spokane record for points in a game by a defenseman with seven (two goals, five assists) against Prince George on Feb. 23, 2018.

He won the Bill Hunter Trophy as the top defenseman in the WHL in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and was named the best defenseman in the Canadian Hockey League in 2018-19.

Smith made the Devils opening night roster for the 2020-21 season, debuting and scoring his first NHL goal in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins on Jan. 14, 2021. It was the first of five consecutive games with at least one point for Smith, the second-longest streak by an NHL rookie defenseman since Marek Zidlicky scored in six straight to begin the 2003-04 season. He scored eight points (two goals, six assists) in his first nine games before being placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol Feb. 2.

He returned to the lineup Feb. 16, had 15 assists in his final 39 games and finished seventh in voting for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• WHL West First All-Star Team (2018, 2019, 2020)
• CHL Defenseman of the Year (2019)
• NHL All-Rookie Team (2021)