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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets' Smart Enjoying International Experience

November 5, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Being in the WHL at 16 years old is something of an accomplishment on its own, but competing against some of the world's best 16 year olds at the same time is nothing short of incredible. Jonathan Smart has momentarily put the Kelowna Rockets on the back burner to take part in the 2015 World U17 Hockey Championship in Fort St John as a part of the blue line for one of Canada's teams.

"It's just a huge honour, wearing the maple leaf has always been a dream and I'm just really happy I get to do it and try to make the most of it," Smart said in an interview.

The international tournament talks place every year to showcase and develop top end young talent and some of it's alumni have gone on to become superstars in the NHL such as Jonathan Towes(Chicago Blackhawks), Drew Doughty(Los Angeles Kings), and current rookie and potential phenom Connor McDavid(Edmonton Oilers).

This year, three Canadian teams were entered; Canada Black, Canada White, and Canada Red, with Smart being a part of the latter. He has two assists in three preliminary games helping his team take top spot in their division with a 2-1-0 record. Over the course of the tournament he could face international opponents from Finland, Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic, or the United States, as well has the other two Canadian teams. Smart has enjoyed the diversity of the tournament.

"It's been lots of fun getting to meet all the guys from across Canada and getting to compete at this high level against the best kids in my age group in the world," he added "it's really exciting that I get to be out there."

The Rockets drafted Smart in the first round, 22nd overall, of the 2014 WHL bantam draft after he scored nine goals and 29 points in 28 games for the Okanagan Hockey Academy. Though only three games have passed, he has already learned some lessons he hopes to bring back to the WHL.

"Just always play with passion and intensity, play the system and finding my roll will help me when I get back to Kelowna"

Smart and Canada Red face Canada Black on Thursday in the first game of the playoffs with the winner taking on the victor between Czech/Russia in the semifinal on November 6th.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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