Four prospects originally hailing from Massachusetts were selected in the 2023 NHL Draft this week, including two in the first 10 picks.
In Lexington Mass., born and raised, in U.S. National Team Development Program is where Will Smith spent most of his days. Now the fourth overall selection by the San Jose Sharks, Smith enroll in Boston College this fall but will soon bring the skillset that made him the U-18 Men’s World Championship MVP to the Bay Area. Smith played with both the Boston Junior Eagles and St. Sebastian’s School in Needham.
Will Smith is selected fourth overall by San Jose and the arena played the Fresh Prince theme 😂 pic.twitter.com/HIzcllJTZQ
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 28, 2023
Smith’s NTDP linemate, Ryan Leonard, was selected by the Washington Capitals with the eighth overall pick. The Amherst native scored 51 goals in just 57 games this past year.
Leonard will also join Smith at Boston College this fall.
Defenseman Sean Keohane landed in Buffalo in the sixth round, the 173rd overall pick. The Milton native is well known in Boston hockey circles; winning the Bruins’ 2023 John Calrton Memorial Award. The former Decter Southfield captain posted 39 points in his senior season.
Merrimack forward Matt Copponi will trade blue and yellow for blue and orange as he heads to Edmonton. The Warrior-turned-Oiler posted 29 points over 37 games in his sophomore season. Copponi’s double-overtime goal secured Merrimack’s spot in the Hockey East title game.
Like Keohane, Copponi is a product of Dexter Southfield.
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