Penn State hockey will have a first-round NHL Draft pick on the roster for the first time in program history. Defenseman Jackson Smith, who committed to Penn State on June 15, was drafted 14th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night:
Most projections had Smith as a first round prospect ahead of Friday’s draft. He recorded 19 goals and 66 assists in 133 career games with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL.
After finishing no better than 6th in their division from 2021 to 2024, the Blue Jackets finished fourth in 2024-25 and narrowly missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 89 points.