New Jersey Devils prospect Ty Smith is going for the repeat.
On Monday afternoon New Jersey’s prized 20-year-old was named Western Conference Defenseman of the Year, which makes him eligible to once again take down the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (top WHL defenseman).
Smith, for the third consecutive season, averaged well over a point per game while logging big minutes for the Spokane Chiefs. He mustered up 59 points (19 goals, 40 assists) in 46 games and his underlying numbers were exceptional.
Quite frankly, Smith’s production and on-ice impact this season was significantly better than a year ago – and he was named *CHL* Defenseman of the Year then.
Take a look at just how drastic some of the improvements were.
Smith scored 12 more goals in 11 fewer games. His primary point outputs, at even-strength and across all game states, were noticeably higher.
And his on-ice numbers went through the roof. A season ago Smith was plus-6 at even-strength and Spokane scored less than 53% of the goals with him on the ice.
This year Smith was plus-51(!!!) at even-strength and the team’s Goals For% was nearly 20% higher with Smith than without. That is...insane.
The Devils are hoping for Smith to transition into a full-time NHLer next season and I think they’ll get their wish. His plateau season couldn’t have gone much – any? – better.
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
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