MILAN (AP) — The NHL not participating in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing has opened the door for players outside the league to step up their efforts, and the standout turned out to be a 17-year-old prospect.
Juraj Slafkovsky scored seven goals to help Slovakia win the bronze medal – its first bronze medal in the country’s history at the Games. Less than five months later, the Montreal Canadiens I chose it with first choice in the project.
Advertisement
Four years later, the NHL’s best are in Milan, as is a draft-eligible prospect who, at 18, is the youngest player in the men’s hockey tournament. Latvian Alberts Smits, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound defenseman, is ranked second among international skaters by Central Scouting.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to show off my skills and my game,” Smits told The Associated Press after practice Thursday. “If I want to improve at some point in my career, I have to play men’s hockey. If it’s this time, I have to do my best to show my best game here.”
Smits had just played for Latvia at the World Juniors in Minnesota, and he’s already playing professionally against men in Liiga, Finland’s top hockey league. He doesn’t place much importance on beating Canadian Macklin Celebrini for the honor of being the youngest player.
“Sure, I can notice it, but I don’t think about it much,” Smits said. “I just came here to do my job and try to do it the best I can. I don’t think about how young I am. I’m just here to do my job.”
Advertisement
He’s already impressing at least one older teammate with significant experience on this stage. Goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis, who nearly produced a stunning performance to upset Canada in Sochi in 2014 and is competing in the Olympics for the third time, could sense after about an hour on the ice that Smits has serious potential.
“It feels like he’s confident, but not too confident,” Gudlevskis told the AP. “You just feel this calm confidence in him. I think in a kid his age, that’s a really good sign for a good prospect and, in the future, a great player.”
Smits is just one of the few players from underdog teams to watch in Milan.
Slafkovsky is back at 21 with professional experience
Advertisement
Slafkovsky was so young in Beijing that rules required him to wear a full cage over his face, which was largely unheard of outside his home country. No need for that this time, midway through his fourth season in the league and first on his eight-year, $60.8 million contract, having already set a career high with 21 goals.
“He’s still a young guy, but he’s going to play an important role,” coach Vladimir Orszagh said. “He’s a suitable NHL player now. He has over 20 goals and it’s not even the end of the season, so expectations are going to be high. But we still know he’s still a young guy. We can’t put too much pressure on the 21-year-old guy and he’s going to carry your whole team.”
Leon Draisaitl participates in the Olympic Games for the first time with Germany
Leon Draisaitl is such a star in Germany that he carries the flag of his country during the opening ceremony. He previously won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player and, along with Connor McDavid, helped the Edmonton Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final twice.
Advertisement
Draisaitl has a tough challenge in a group with the United States, although it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he was able to take Germany further than expected.
France hopes to have Alexandre Texier and his talent
Alexandre Texier reinvigorated his career in Montreal after ending his contract with Saint-Louis. He has 17 points in his first 30 games with the Canadiens, and France still hopes to have its only current NHL player available in Milan after his injury last week.
“He’s a game-changer for us and he has the ability to create offensively,” coach Yorick Treille said. “He’s had a good time. I think he’s worked at his craft for a long time as well. He’s got the tools. We always knew he could do this, but it’s another thing to do it. Right now he’s in a good environment, happy to play hockey.”
Advertisement
Nikolaj Ehlers gets another chance to shine for Denmark
Nikolaj Ehlers had four points in three games to help Denmark qualify, and with the NHL returning, he will be able to make his Olympic debut. When asked what boost Ehlers would bring, compatriot Nicklas Jensen joked: “To win it all for us.”
“We’re going to get some great parts from North America,” Jensen said. “He showed up several times in this national team. … Of course, it’s good to have some star power like a guy like Nikolaj.”
___
PA Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
