Tarin Smith (photo courtesy/Everett Silvertips, Evan Morud)

By Ben Tompkins

NHL Central Scouting Rankings

Porcupine Plain’s Smith continuing to buy in with Draft approaching

Feb 14, 2024 | 5:05 PM

Another northeast hockey player has his sights set on the National Hockey League, after the midterm rankings.

Porcupine Plain native, Tarin Smith was recently listed inside the top 55 by NHL Central Scouting and is only interested in getting better.

With only 12 games remaining in his club’s regular season schedule, the Everett Silvertip is focused on improving himself by improving his team.

“I remember sitting in the hotel room in the morning waking up and looking at the list and I was just almost in shock. I was super happy to see my name even on it, let alone that high, so it was just nice to be recognized,” Smith told northeastNOW.

“I think the biggest thing is just sticking with what’s been working, just play for the team and buy-in, and that’ll help my individual rank as much as it can.”

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As it stands right now, Smith’s goal is to make the NHL, with the draft set for late this June.

For the next couple of months, however, the 17-year-old has to focus on a deep playoff run, as his team is top three in its conference and top five in the league.

“Winning all these games and just being able to play with such elite players definitely helps that draft stock a lot, and how all of these players are so solid around me makes me better every single day of practice,” he added.

“I think the biggest thing is just getting better every day, going into the rink with something to do, always getting that one per cent better every day, and just buying into the team as much as I can, along with what the coaches here are trying to teach me.”

The defenceman is currently in his third season with the Silvertips, having last played non Major Junior hockey in the 2021/22 season, when he was a Saskatoon Blazer.

This year, he is up to 37 points through 55 games, as he’s found the back of the next seven times and assisted on 30 others.

“I think the biggest thing that’s changed since I got here is just how much faster they’ve taught me to play. The transition game and how much quicker I’m playing now since I started coming from playing back home, I think that’s one of the biggest things that’s taking my game to the next level,” Smith explained.

“The organization here definitely made it as easy as possible, making this feel so much like home, despite moving away at such a young age. I feel like that just helps so much with maturity and growth as a young adult and just teaches you so many life lessons and stuff like that.”

The 6-1, 176-pounder hasn’t played back at home since his U15 days when he suited up for the AA North East Wolfpack in 2020.

While it’s been a long time since for Smith, he still carries the northeast pride with him and proudly represents Porcupine Plain every step of the way.

“Playing with all my buddies back home and just falling in love with the game and then growing up always seeing the Western League and wanting to play in it definitely pushed me to play here, 100 per cent. It was just the ultimate goal of growing up and watching,” he said.

“It’s super cool knowing that I have full support from everyone back home that lives in that town, even people I have hardly even met come up to me on the streets and say they’re super proud of what I’m doing and that they’re following my journey. That’s just such a cool feeling to make them proud, so if my name gets called, that’ll feel so good, especially for the town.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8