Prospect Update: Tarin Smith

By Thomas Harrington

Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the third round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, defenseman Tarin Smith played for the Everett Silvertips of the WHL this past season and was one of their alternate captains.

Despite playing in two fewer games the previous season, Smith set career highs across the board with 16 goals and 60 points in 65 games. He missed a little time in December with a minor injury but had a largely healthy season. Smith finished tied for seventh among defensemen in assists and points in the WHL. He was even better in the playoffs, where he scored four goals and 16 points in just 13 games. Everett made it to the second round where they lost to the Portland Winterhawks in seven games. Despite going out in the second round, Smith finished fourth in assists and points by defensemen in the WHL playoffs.

Smith is an offensively gifted defenseman who can run a powerplay and dictate the play on the ice. Despite his offensive prowess, Smith also plays with a physical edge. While he’s never going to be among the league leaders in hits, he definitely doesn’t shy away from physical play. He may never become a top pairing player, but if Smith continues to develop, it seems like he could be a very good third or fourth defenseman who gets ample power play time.

Smith will be back in the WHL this coming season for what will likely be his final year of junior hockey. He had a very good season after being drafted; now he needs to be even better before turning pro. I have two expectations for him this coming year. First, for him to score at a point per game pace this coming season. That’s asking a lot for a defenseman, but given his offensive instincts and how well he played last season, that should be doable. Second, to help lead his team deeper in the playoffs.

Smith is still at least a couple of years away from making it to the NHL. He’s got one more year of juniors ahead of him, and then likely a year in San Diego as well, where he can adjust to the pro game. If he can adjust quickly, we could see him in an Anaheim uniform as soon as the 2027-2028 season, with a shot at staying in the NHL on a full time basis the following season.

Smith was invited to the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase for Team Canada. Fellow Ducks prospects Roger McQueen and Beckett Sennecke were also invited by Team Canada, but won’t be participating for personal reasons. Eric Nilson and Lucas Pettersson were named to Team Sweden. And Lasse Boelius (selected 60th overall this summer at the draft) was named to Team Finland. 

Smith is currently unsigned and the Ducks control his rights until June 2026. As long as he has a strong final season of junior hockey, he should be signed to a standard entry-level contract well before that date. It could happen as early as this summer or fall.

The next prospect update will be on forward Jan Mysak.

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Graduated Prospect: Sam Colangelo

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Graduated Prospect: Nikita Nesterenko

Prospect Update: Ian Moore

Prospect Update: Kyle Kukkonen

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Prospect Update: Judd Caulfield

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July 26th, 2025