Nathan Smith

June 2023- Smith had a tough first year in the AHL as he adjusted to the pro game. He had 12 goals and 27 points in 64 games, good for seventh on just Tucson in scoring. Smith also appeared in four scoreless contents with Arizona. Lack of speed and agility seemed to be the biggest reasons for Smith’s struggles last year. While his future seems to be a bottom-six NHLer, his talent offers more than Smith showed in the AHL last year. An already solid all-around game, he’s a strong playmaker and is a good net-front presence with impressive hand-eye coordination. Expect Smith to receive more AHL development time but play a bigger offensive role in Tucson and see more NHL contests in Arizona during 2023-24. Keith Duggan

October 2022- Expected to earn a bottom six role with Arizona for 2022-23, it was a surprise to see Smith one of the Coyotes first cuts in training camp. He looked good for the Coyotes finishing up last season, when Smith scored two goals and four points in 10 games to finish the campaign off. He will now report to Tucson where it’s expected Smith will be an offensive leader for the team. Keith Duggan

April 2022- It’s been a whirlwind last few days for Nathan Smith. On Saturday, he was on the ice at TD Garden in Boston, playing in the NCAA men’s hockey national championship game with Minnesota State. Soon after the 5-1 loss to Denver, Smith was on a plane to Mankato, Minnesota, where he slept and packed his belonging before boarding another flight to Arizona that landed early Monday morning. Hours later, Smith was practicing with his new teammates after signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Coyotes. On Tuesday night, he will play his first NHL game with his family in the stands when the Yotes host the New Jersey Devils. He just finished an outstanding offensive year with the Mavericks, putting up a 19-goal, 31-assist season. Smith finished with the second-most points and third highest assists among NCAA players. This is the opportunity Smith wanted and did not see happening with Winnipeg. With two of the Coyotes top goal scorers out with injuries (Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse) and the team in the midst of a rebuild, Smith should see some quality ice time. Not only in Arizona’s final 10 games this year but next season too. Keith Duggan

March 2022- A day after trading for Jack McBain’s rights, the Coyotes acquired another top NCAA player, this time Nathan Smith from Winnipeg. Along with Smith’s rights, the Coyotes also acquire Bryan Little, who has not played an NHL game since November 2019, for a 2022 fourth-round pick. Much like McBain with the Wild, Smith reportedly had no plans to sign with Winnipeg. The 23-year-old is currently in his junior year at Minnesota State-Mankato and if unsigned, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has 18 goals and 31 assists over 34 games so far this season as the top seeded Mavericks are about to begin play in the 2022 D1 Men’s Ice Hockey Championship. Smith also played with Team USA at the Olympics, where he recorded a goal and two points in four games and is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. “We are excited to acquire Nate” Arizona GM Bill Armstrong said after the trade. “He is a very skilled two-way center who is relentless and competes hard every night. We are very happy to acquire his rights and look forward to him joining the Coyotes organization.” Keith Duggan

April 2020 – Smith made a solid first impression in his rookie year in the NCAA. He tallied 27 points in 35 games and earned 2019-20 WCHA All-Rookie Team honors. He continues to be an intriguing prospect, having not started his ice hockey journey until the age of 11. Smith seems to have that mental toughness where no matter the obstacle, he’s willing to put in the work to earn his spot at the next level. Jamie Zadow

April 2019 – Smith is a highly skilled center with great hands that can seemingly make something happen out of nothing. After two solid campaigns in the USHL, he will get a taste of NCAA hockey as he is set to join Minnesota State University (Mankato) in the fall. Jamie Zadow