Latest news with #WorldJuniorAChallenge
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Smaby Moving On From Black Hawks, Heads Back To The College Ranks
Matt Smaby's success leading the Waterloo Black Hawks for four seasons has now led to a new beginning in a familiar spot. The Hawks' head coach was named the University of North Dakota's new associate head coach on Wednesday. This isn't the first time Smaby has been with the Fighting Hawks. From 2003 to 2006, he skated as a defenseman in Grand Forks. Then after Smaby concluded his professional playing career, he returned to North Dakota in 2017 and spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant. During the summer of 2021, Smaby was named the Black Hawks head coach. He compiled a 137-94-17 USHL regular-season record, plus a 14-12 mark during the playoffs. Smaby ranks second in the junior-era Waterloo record book for both regular season and playoff victories. In 2021-22, Smaby's Black Hawks were 28-30-4; however, the campaign's most memorable moments came after the regular season ended. Waterloo upset the Lincoln Stars during a road-only first round playoff series, then advanced to meet the Sioux City Musketeers. The Hawks were the only team to push the eventual Clark Cup champions to the brink of elimination. Smaby coached his first two NHL Draft picks in 2021-22: defenseman Sam Rinzel and goaltender Emmett Croteau. A year later, Waterloo improved to 40-21-1. It was just the third 40-win regular season in team history, highlighted by a pair of seven-game win streaks covering much of November and January. The Hawks finished second in the USHL Western Conference. Smaby assisted Aaron Pionk's multiseason transition from forward to defense; Pionk was ultimately selected during the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild. In 2023-24, the Hawks claimed third place in the Western Conference with a 35-25-2 record. Smaby also pursued an opportunity to lead the U.S. Junior Select Team during the 2023 World Junior A Challenge, capturing a bronze medal in Truro, Nova Scotia. In league play, forward John Mustard came to prominence and was eventually chosen by the Chicago Blackhawks during the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Mustard paced Waterloo with 29 goals. The 2024-25 Hawks reached the Clark Cup Final for the first time in 11 seasons. Smaby directed Waterloo to post-season series victories against the Tri-City Storm, Sioux Falls Stampede, and Lincoln Stars following a 34-18-10 regular slate. The Hawks fell in Game Five of the best-of-five Clark Cup Final against the Muskegon Lumberjacks Tuesday. In December, Smaby also had an encore stint with the U.S. Junior Select Team, winning gold during the 2024 World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta. At North Dakota, Smaby will be reunited with former Black Hawks General Manager Bryn Chyzyk. Last month, Chyzyk was named to the Fighting Hawks' staff as assistant coach and general manager. The Black Hawks will begin an immediate search for the team's next head coach in preparation for the 2025-26 USHL season.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Golden Knights Sign Forward Prospect To Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract
The Vegas Golden Knights have signed prospect Trent Swick to a three-year, entry-level contract. ✍️ The Golden Knights have signed forward Trent Swick to a three-year, entry level contract!! 😃Swick was drafted in the sixth round (180th overall) by Vegas in 2024 and has 57 points (26G, 31A) in 55 games with Kitchener (OHL) this season 👏 — Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 1, 2025 The Golden Knights selected the 20-year-old with their sixth round (180th overall) pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Playing with the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL, Swick has scored 26 goals and 57 points in 55 games. He's eclipsed his career-high of 25 goals and is on pace to best his career-high of 60 points, both of which were accomplished last year. The towering 6'6, 207 lbs winger was drafted as an overager but has shown positive results that made the Golden Knights feel comfortable taking a chance on. With each season that has gone by, Swick has continued to show stronger signs that he is feeling more comfortable with his size and how he can use it to his advantage. The St. Catharines, ON native is likely still a ways away from being ready to join the Golden Knights and the next step for him will be to become acclimated with professional hockey in either the ECHL with the Tahoe Knight Monsters or the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. Swick is the first of the four 2024 draft picks to sign with the Golden Knights. Due to NCAA eligibility, Trevor Connelly and Lucas Van Vliet can't sign unless they intend to make the move to pro hockey, but Swick can sign with the Golden Knights and still play for his OHL club. Golden Knights Prospect Wins Gold At WJAC-19 Vegas Golden Knights prospect Lucas Van Vliet was the second-highest scorer at the World Junior A Challenge and took home a gold medal. If Swick can continue to improve and the Golden Knights do their best to enhance his development, they could have a future matchup nightmare. Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story. Golden Knights Top Prospect Earns Silver Medal As Volunteer Coach Vegas Golden Knights top prospect Trevor Connelly won a silver medal as the volunteer coach of the U14 Hockey Players of Color team at the 2024 Amerigol LATAM Cup.
