There was a great amount of excitement this past offseason when the NHL announced that its players would be participating in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. Many people thought that there would be a number of Winnipeg Jets players competing at the Olympics.
That excitement dwindled when, a couple of weeks ago, the NHL said that its players would not be allowed to play in the games.
There were questions about which players would be named on Team U.S.A.’s and Canada’s rosters. We found some answers this evening as Team U.S.A. named their roster.
Winnipeg Jets prospect, Nathan Smith was named to Team USA’s roster for the 2022 Olympic Games
Nathan Smith was originally drafted by the Jets as the ninety-first overall pick in the third round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He has yet to sign a contract with the Jets and plays in for Minnesota State University (Mankato) in the NCAA.
The twenty-three-year-old Smith has gotten off to a great start this collegiate season and his team sits ranked first in the country while he is leading the nation in points scored.
Minnesota State has an outstanding 20-4 record and is currently on a nine-game winning streak, while Smith is leading the line with 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points in 22 games played. He also has a plus-20 plus/minus.
Smith is one of fifteen NCAA players who were named to the U.S.A.’s roster and the lone player from the state of Florida on the roster.
Hockey is scheduled to begin at the Olympics on February 9 and the U.S.A will play their first game on February 10 against host-country, China. You can see the full schedule for the Olympics by clicking the link here.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Were you surprised to see Nathan Smith on the United States’ 2022 Olympic roster? Leave your comments below!