The Columbus Blue Jackets boosted their defensive pipeline Friday night, drafting defenseman Jackson Smith with the 14th overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Smith is a 6'4", 200 lb two-way defenseman who played in 68 games during the 2024-25 season with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League. He scored 11 goals and added 43 assists for a total of 54 points.
The native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada also played for Team Canada in the Under-18 World Junior Championships, notching five points — including four goals — in seven games.
In speaking to the media after making the selection, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell said they did not expect Smith to be available at #14.
"Some of our scouts that watched him all the time rated his skating as a ten, and that happens very rarely," said Waddell.
"We would have never, ever predicted he would be there at 14."
Smith was ranked in the top ten in several draft rankings, including 6th by Elite Prospects, who says that Smith’s "skating, combined with his handling skill and creativity, often leads to some truly incredible plays."
InsideTheRink.com describes Smith as a prospect with "impressive puck moving abilities", and "defensively strong on and off the puck due to his size and stick handling skills."
Smith has committed to play at Penn State University in the fall.
"(My goal is to) get to the NHL as fast as I can, and that's a place I can do it," said Smith.
He identified Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars and Zach Werenski as two players he patterns his game after. Smith will now get the chance to play alongside one of those.
"I think I have a lot of offensive upside to my game" said Smith. "I move on the blueline really well, I can find lanes, get pucks through and score goals, but I can also defend the rush incredible well."
"I kind of feel like I'm a 'full package' kind of guy," added Smith.
The pick was announced by Meredith Gaudreau. The Los Angeles crowd gave a boisterous ovation and chanted "Johnny, Johnny", and the widow of Johnny Gaudreau took a moment to thank "every NHL team" and "every NHL fanbase" for their support.
Welcome to the organization, Jackson!
