NJ Devils' Ty Smith more motivated than ever
One of the last training camp cuts made last season, Devils' 2018 first-round pick Ty Smith is confident he can grab a roster spot this fall.
NJ Devils' Ty Smith more motivated than ever One of the last training camp cuts made last season, Devils' 2018 first-round pick Ty Smith is confident he can grab a roster spot this fall. Check out this story on northjersey.com: https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nhl/devils/2019/07/10/nj-devils-ty-smith-more-motivated-than-ever/1680529001/
Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 5:14 a.m. ET July 10, 2019
NEWARK — Ty Smith will never forget his first NHL training camp. Even if he wanted to, he can't.
He was cut on TV.
One of the last players cut from training camp last season, NHL Network cameras caught the moment Devils coach John Hynes told the defenseman he was being sent back to his junior team in the Western Hockey League for "Behind the Glass: Training camp with the New Jersey Devils." Smith, the Devils' first-round pick in the 2018 draft, had no intentions of watching the clip but it was widely circulated among some of his family and friends and it was sent to him by more than one person.
"It's gotten sent to me a few times," he said Tuesday at Prudential Center. "I get chirped about it."
Smith showed little emotion.
"It's hard to show your reaction on the cameras," he said. "I was a little more frustrated (off camera)."
New Jersey Devils defenseman Ty Smith (48) plays the puck while being defended by New York Rangers center Kevin Hayes (13) during the first period at Prudential Center. (Photo: Ed Mulholland, Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)
Then an 18-year-old, he seethed all the way back to Spokane. But when he landed, he said he flipped a switch and went into competition mode. If he was going to play another year of junior hockey he was going to make sure he took the steps needed to make the NHL team next season.
While he's not exactly fighting for a roster spot at the Devils' annual development camp this week in Newark, he's making sure the development coaches and front office executives notice the maturation of his game.
Smith put up 69 points (seven goals, 62 assists) for the Chiefs, the highest total for a defenseman in the league. He played on the power play and the penalty kill for the Chiefs and Team Canada in the IIHF World Junior Championships. He put on weight, about 8 pounds, and he put in work to improve the defensive part of his game.
"I'm stronger, heavier and a little better defensively," Smith said. "We'll see once training camp comes around but that's something I've been working on."
Ty Smith #24 of the Spokane Chiefs during a game against the Edmonton Oil Kings at Rogers Place on October 22, 2017 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo: Codie McLachlan, Getty Images)
The Lloydminster, Alberta native is spending the summer working out with Brendan Gallagher at his father's Ian's Delta Hockey Academy, an arrangement made through his agent and a previous relationship with the Montreal Canadiens' winger. He's also living with Ian, the first prospect to do so, and Brendan, who informed of the Devils' trade for a potential defense partner, P.K. Subban.
More: Just win, baby: P.K. Subban eager to return NJ Devils to winning ways
Gallagher woke Smith to alert him of the trade just hours after he returned from Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Smith attended the first night of the draft and was on hand to greet Jack Hughes after the Devils selected him with the first overall pick. The club had Smith in its suite.
More: Jack Hughes 'makes it look easy' at NJ Devils development camp debut
It was a big weekend for the prospect, who saw what it could be like to be a part of the team during such an exciting time.
"It was pretty cool and it was a good experience for me," he said. "I think I spent more time at that draft than I did my own."
The expectation by Smith and the Devils is that he will be a part of the team this year. And not just an extension of it as talent in the system, but a part of the NHL team.
And if he's not? Well, at least he won't get cut on TV.
"At the end of the day, when I got to go back to Spokane and play lots of minutes and be in all situations and be relied on pretty heavily and be a leader on the team, I think it definitely helped my development," he said. "It's going to help me in the future."
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