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Thunder Prospect Smyth Stands Out

June 10, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington, IL - During the recent Bloomington Thunder Futures Camp at the Leafs Ice Centre in West Dundee, IL, Head Coach Dennis Williams and company were able to meet and work with players looking to break into junior hockey in a few years. The camp was centered on 14 and 15-year olds who won't be eligible for the United States Hockey League this upcoming season, but a few 1999 birth-year players skated out in the crowd.

One 6-foot-3 forward was particularly exciting to watch, as the Thunder drafted him just a few weeks prior.

Patrick Smyth was the sixth-round selection by Bloomington during the 2015 USHL Phase I Draft. Listed as the tallest player taken by the Thunder during Phase I and Phase II combined, he could help add some size to the team down the road.

"At times adjusting to my changing height was hard," mentioned the tall forward. "A few years ago, I was still growing a lot and it felt like my limbs were just all over the place, but I'm really starting to settle in and get comfortable with my body out on the ice. It's going to be a pretty big tool for me to use."

In the inaugural season, four players for the Thunder measured in at 6-foot-3, including goaltender Hayden Lavigne, and only one listed over that height, forward Maksim Dzhioshvili at 6-foot-5. However, the team's average height was just under 6-foot for the season.

Smyth, 16, finished his first season in the High Performance Hockey League with Compuware in 2014-15. The power forward had 16 points (6g, 10a) in his 26 games played with the club, while only taking two penalty minutes. Along with other USHL draft picks, such as Thunder second round pick Ben Mirageas, Smyth headed to New York last off-season and competed in 2014 USA Hockey Boys Select 15 Camp.

Smyth turned heads at the camp and continued to turn them through Futures Camp, growing as a player and adapting every day to his size. He also recognizes that there is work to be done in order to reach his full potential.

"The off-ice work is the biggest thing for me. I need to put on a little bit more weight and be the strongest player out there. I feel I have the skill to be a good player if I can put in the time with the weights then I will be on a good path."

Originally from Toledo, OH, Smyth moved from his Bantam organization (Victory Honda) last season, but will return to the club for the 2015-16 season with the U16 team.

"We're hoping to have a very successful team next year and I hope to play a really big part there," said Smyth. "Being drafted is certainly a big step, but it is definitely a long road to get to the USHL. I'm hoping to take the confidence from the draft and channel it into motivation moving forward."

Smyth met and skated with the Thunder coaches for the first time while at Futures Camp. After a three-day camp where the forward played in four games, two skills sessions, and junior/college hockey seminars, he was ecstatic just to finally be with the organization. Moving forward, Smyth is hoping to earn a spot on the Thunder's affiliate list.

"That would be huge for me. I could come up and possibly play a few games and see how I stack up against the league. Hopefully then I'd be able to put on the Thunder jersey a few years from now."

Dzhioshvili, his brother Vladislav Dzhioshvili (Cornell University), Mitchell Mattson (University of North Dakota), Bailey Conger (St. Lawrence University), Tanner Tweten, and Joey Abate (University of Wisconsin) were all affiliates that benefited from the same path. The six players each made their USHL debuts with the Thunder and combined for 32 games played and 14 points (6g, 8a).

The next season for the Thunder is bright with approximately 18 players returning to the roster, but Smyth and others will continue to battle for future roster spots. Despite wearing a different team's jersey, the goal and mentality is still the same. Continue to improve every day in hopes of moving up to the Thunder, Division I college hockey, and the National Hockey League.

Season Tickets: 2015-16 will be here before you know it and for just $50 we can reserve your season tickets for the Bloomington Thunder at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Plans start at just $240 and youth season tickets are $150 for all the same benefits. Reserve your tickets for a chance to win Blackhawks tickets during the 2015-16 season.

Head to BloomingtonThunder.com for a full list of benefits and pricing options along with our new seating map. Call the Thunder office at (309) 434-2980 for information and booking.



United States Hockey League Stories from June 10, 2015


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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