The Winnipeg Jets have drafted Nathan Smith from the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL in the third round. He is a 19 year old who has a late birthday and missed last years draft by a month.
Smith is from Florida and played high school hockey in Florida before moving to Cedar Rapids in the USHL. He was a prolific scoring playing high school hockey; recording 44 points in 13 games his final season on Florida. In the USHL he had 47 points including 17 goals in 51 games. Solid output in a league that was a major step up for him.
He is committed to attend Minnesota State University (Mankato) next year and the Jets probably want him to go that route as he will need some seasoning before being ready to play professional hockey. For a player who took a major step up in competition this year, hopefully he adjusts as well as he did this upcoming season.
