As Frozen Four begins, decision looms for Sharks’ top prospect

NCAA Frozen Four: Will Smith and his Boston College teammates are hoping to finish a fairytale season with a national championship. Then what?

SAN JOSE – How much respect has San Jose Sharks prospect Will Smith garnered during his outstanding freshman season at Boston College?

Jack Eichel, one of the most prominent former players from BC’s fiercest rival, Boston University, supposedly thought Smith deserved to win the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey’s top men’s player – ahead of Terriers center Macklin Celebrini.

“BU alum Jack Eichel told me his vote was for Will Smith for Hobey Baker,” a reporter at Thursday’s Frozen Four press conference in St. Paul, Minn. told Boston College coach Greg Brown. “What has Will meant for your team?”

Brown replied, “That’s nice of Jack.”

The next reporter’s question to Brown began with, “I can’t wait until the BU folks hear that Jack Eichel voted for Will Smith.”

Smith, the Sharks’ fourth overall selection last year who leads all NCAA Division I players in scoring, was not selected as one of the three finalists for the award (Celebrini was one). Nevertheless, it’s been a fairytale season for Smith and his Boston College teammates, one they hope ends with a national championship.

Smith, 19, and the top-ranked Eagles face Michigan today in the second semifinal of the Frozen Four at Xcel Energy Center. The winner of that game will face either Boston University or Denver in Saturday’s national title game.

“He’s got a lot of abilities, but his awareness of space and how to create space for his teammates is something that’s really special for a young kid, a freshman,” Brown said of Smith. “The familiarity with his linemates, so they know how to read him, also helps. But he can really see things that not a lot of kids see, especially that young.”

After Saturday’s game, or following the semifinal if Boston College loses, Smith could announce his intention to return to school for his sophomore season in Chestnut Hill — or sign a contract with the Sharks and turn professional right away.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier will not be in Minnesota this week, a team spokesman said. But Grier said in January that he, Smith, his representative, and other members of the Sharks’ front office would all sit down once BC’s season ends and decide what is best for the 6-foot, 181-pound centerman.

“I know he’s got he’s got plans to try and win it all, and probably won’t, because of BU,” a prophetic Grier, a former Boston University Terrier, said over two months ago. “But after that, we’ll talk and see how he’s feeling about his game and how he feels about himself physically.”

Smith’s decision to turn pro might not be a simple one if it is his and it hasn’t already been made.

If Boston College loses in the semifinals or finals, he and some of his teammates, particularly the other drafted freshmen, could decide that there’s some unfinished business and want to come back for one more season.

But there’s also the allure of starting a pro career.

Smith would burn a year of his three-year entry-level contract right away if he signs with the Sharks, not to mention pick up a nice-sized signing bonus, and be that much closer to restricted free agency.

“Anytime you can do something you love and get paid for it, it’s pretty cool,” said Arizona Coyotes forward Logan Cooley, who turned pro last year after one spectacular season with the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Cooley had 60 points in 39 games in his freshman season, during which he was a Hobey Baker finalist. He initially said in May of last year that he wanted to return to Minnesota.

But after seeing Golden Gophers teammates Matthew Knies and Brock Faber play in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and noticing how the Coyotes were taking steps to improve, Cooley, in late July, decided to turn pro.

In 79 games, Cooley is fifth on the Coyotes roster with 43 points.

“It took me a few months to kind of realize that I was ready for the next step,” Cooley told this news organization. “I was happy with the team (the Coyotes) brought in, some older guys to learn from.

“It was a tough decision. I loved my time at Minnesota, but I thought it was best.”

Smith leads all NCAA Division I players with a staggering 69 points in 39 games to pace Boston College, which enters this week with a 33-5-1 record. The Eagles, loaded with NHL draft choices, have not lost since Feb. 5, and carry a 14-game winning streak into St. Paul.

Cooley played with Smith on the U.S. National Development Team two years ago.

“He always knows where to be on the ice and how to find those areas where you can make a play or score,” Cooley said. “Just his vision out there, his brain and where to be and try to find open ice or things like that. I think that’s going to make him special at this level.”

Brown echoed those sentiments.

“He has a great ability to pass the puck exactly how hard it needs to be passed,” Brown said of Smith. “If he needs a rocket to put through a small area, he does. Or if he needs to lay it out to an area in front of people, he does that extremely well, too.

“Like a good quarterback who knows exactly how hard to throw it, or a short stop who can always get the guy out by half a step, Will has that ability.”

There’s a chance that after the Frozen Four, Smith joins the Sharks for their final two games, as they play in Edmonton on April 15 and in Calgary on April 18.

From a talent perspective, there’s little question Smith can play in the NHL. It’s just a matter of whether now is the right time.

“It’s a big step. You can’t really prepare for it,” Cooley said. “You just kind of have to go through it and learn from it. It’s a tough step, but I’m sure he’ll do well.”