Elizabeth’s Ty Smilanic, a former University of Denver recruit, and two current Pioneers are expecting to hear their names called at the NHL virtual draft Tuesday and Wednesday.
Smilanic, an 18-year-old freshman at Quinnipiac University, is ranked 24th among North American forwards by Central Scouting. The former triple-A midget star for the Colorado Thunderbirds might get selected in Tuesday’s 31-pick first round, but when factoring in European skaters and all goalies, he could fall to the second round Wednesday.
“Obviously, there’s excitement. But I’m pretty nervous, I’m not going to lie,” Smilanic said in a phone interview from Quinnipiac on Monday.