The San Jose Sharks signed their top prospect, Will Smith, to a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday.
Smith’s deal means he is no longer eligible to return to Boston College after a dominant freshman campaign with the Eagles. The 19-year-old centerman revealed Tuesday’s news with a video posted on the Sharks’ social media accounts.
“Hey, Sharks fans, just wanted to say I got some exciting news,” the prospect forward said. “Just signed my entry-level deal and I can’t wait to be a part of the Sharks organization.”
Smith amassed 71 points (25g, 46a) for Boston College last year on a line with Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard and New York Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault. The trio led the Eagles to an appearance in the NCAA’s 2024 National Championship game where they fell 2-0 to Denver.
Smith and Leonard were then invited to compete for Team USA at their first senior World Championship over the last month. The two were among just four college players to don the red, white, and blue in Czechia.
Several trusted sources from around the NHL, including Colby Cohen and Frank Servalli from the Daily Faceoff and Sean Shapiro of EP Rinkside, believe that Smith opting to forego further college eligibility could lead to Leonard reconsidering his prior decision to return to school. The two top prospects have been linemates for years as they came up together through the US National Development Team Program.
Leonard congratulated Smith on the contract signing via a post on his Instagram story.
He added later: “End of an era…”
Leonard finished his first season in the NCAA with 60 points (31g, 29a) in 40 games, scoring the third most goals in the country. His 31 tallies set a new all-time Boston College record for most goals scored by a freshman. The previous record (30) held by Brian Gionta had stood since 1998.
The Capitals previously approached Leonard about signing his entry-level deal before their playoff series against the New York Rangers and were rebuffed. But that was before he spent a month with NHL players on Team USA and Smith signed on with the Sharks.
Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan has been transparent about his belief that Leonard was NHL-ready coming out of last year’s draft. Washington will also have immediate space open on their depth chart for the 19-year-old winger and head coach Spencer Carbery is already a huge fan of how the rambunctious teenager plays the game.
