A tough trick from Jukurien’s super promise – broke into the NHL lineup!
The New York Rangers have finalized their roster for the start of the NHL season. The team also secured a spot for the 18-year-old Latvian prospect Alberts Smits, who will thus begin his season in the NHL.
The Rangers drafted Smits in the first round as the fifth overall pick in last summer’s draft. In July, he signed an NHL entry-level contract with the team. Smits impressed the Rangers’ management with his performance during the fall training camp.
In recent years, Smits has played in Finland. Last season, he played 38 Liiga games with Jukurit, recording 6+7=13 points. Towards the end of the season, Smits was loaned to EHC München in Germany, where he played five regular-season games with 0+1 points and 11 playoff games with 2+4 points.
Last season, Smits also gained a lot of experience in international games. He represented Latvia in the under-20 World Championships, the Olympics, and the men’s World Championships.
Read more
- A terrible setback for SHL’s Finnish star in Sweden – a long sick leave is looming
- The league’s star defender received a suspension – the disciplinary committee dismissed the explanation
- IL: Jukka Jalonen’s new job was revealed
- IS: HIFK has signed the head coach of a competitor – negotiations are already advanced!
- Urheilucast: Jori Lehterä opened the door for the league’s championship favorite – this will decide everything!
- Lehtitieto: The Liiga club loses its point machine – a new club is already known!
- The Young Lions team announced – now the final performances are given before the World Championship selections
- Jussi Tapola steps aside from the Lions – an experienced name as a replacement
- Mikko Rantanen achieves a great feat in the NHL – Olli Jokinen is left behind
- Antti Pennanen named the Lions – this is what happened to the top scorer of the League!