PSU’s Jackson Smith makes hockey history

LOS ANGELES, Calif. –Penn State incoming freshman Jackson Smith was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the NHL Draft Friday night.
The 6-foot-4 defenseman now holds the distinction as the first-ever Nittany Lion to be selected in the opening round of the NHL draft. He also becomes the 17th Nittany Lion all-time to be drafted and the first since Aiden Fink in 2023.
Smith, who committed to Penn State on June 15, arrives in Hockey Valley this fall after spending the past two-plus seasons with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League. The Calgary, Alberta native registered career-highs across the board with 11 goals and 43 assists for 54 points in 68 games this past season. Smith added one goal and two assists in a pair of playoff games for the Americans.
Smith’s 54 points in 2024-25 ranked as the 10th most among WHL blueliners while his 43 assists tied for ninth. In 143 total WHL games, including playoffs, Smith tallied 88 points on 20 goals and 68 assists for the Americans.
Isles get No. 1
LOS ANGELES — The New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft Friday night.
High-scoring forward Michael Misa went second overall to the San Jose Sharks, and the Chicago Blackhawks took Swedish forward Anton Frondell third at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Center Caleb Desnoyers went fourth to the Utah Mammoth, who moved up 10 spots in the draft lottery. The Nashville Predators grabbed physical forward Brady Martin with the fifth pick.
The Philadelphia Flyers also made two early picks, grabbing forward Porter Martone sixth overall before trading up for the 12th selection to get forward Jack Nesbitt.
Toronto discount
One of hockey’s most well-respected, well-rounded veterans gave his hometown team a hometown discount, a couple of younger players signed the longest contracts still available to them and trade dominos began falling Friday around the NHL.
John Tavares re-signed for four more years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, getting $17.55 million. He’ll count $4.39 million against the salary cap through the 2028-29 season after that number was $11 million annually on his previous deal.
Tavares, a point-a-game player last season at age 34, grew up in the area and never saw himself leaving.
Fellow center Brock Nelson, who is 11 months younger, got $7.5 million a year over the next three seasons to stay with Colorado after the Avalanche acquired him at the trade deadline from the New York Islanders.
New deal
SUNRISE, Fla. — Sam Bennett walked to the front of the stage at the Florida Panthers’ latest Stanley Cup championship parade, and before he could even speak the crowd began serenading him with their request. “Eight more years! Eight more years!”
They got their wish. Bennett — who led the NHL with 15 goals in this year’s playoffs is staying with the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. He and Florida agreed to a new eight-year contract worth $64 million, or $8 million per season.