It is easy to get confused when you search for "Will Smith stats hockey" and expect to find a Hollywood actor laced up in skates. But for San Jose Sharks fans, there’s only one Will Smith that matters right now. He’s not the guy from Men in Black; he’s the 20-year-old kid from Lexington, Massachusetts, who’s currently trying to drag a rebuilding franchise back into relevance.
Honestly, the jump from college to the pros is brutal. Most people thought Smith would hit a wall. Instead, he’s been finding ways to break through it, even if the plus-minus column occasionally looks like a disaster area.
The Will Smith Stats Hockey Breakdown: By the Numbers
If you’re just looking at the surface-level box scores, you’re missing the actual story of his development. Smith isn't a power forward who’s going to bully people in the corners. He’s a surgeon with a hockey stick. During his 2024-25 rookie campaign, he put up 45 points in 74 games. That’s 18 goals and 27 assists. For a 19-year-old on a team that struggled to win games, those are legit numbers.
But let’s look at the 2025-26 season so far. As of mid-January 2026, Smith has already notched 29 points in 33 games.
He’s on pace for a 60-plus point season.
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He’s averaging nearly 18 minutes of ice time per night ($17:55$ to be exact). Compare that to his rookie year where he was sheltered at about 15 minutes a game. The coaching staff finally trusts him. His shooting percentage has climbed to 15%, which shows he’s becoming more selective and lethal with his shots rather than just firing into jerseys.
Beyond the Goals: The "Edge" Metrics
The NHL’s "Edge" tracking data gives us the nerdier details that explain why he’s effective.
- Top Skating Speed: 22.10 mph (Hit on Nov 22, 2025, against Ottawa).
- Shot Power: He’s not a monster, but he clocked a 90.26 mph slap shot against Boston.
- Zone Time: He spends 43.6% of his shifts in the offensive zone. That’s well above the league average for centers.
Basically, when Will Smith is on the ice, the puck usually moves toward the opponent's net. You can’t ask for much more from a young center.
From the BC "Perreault-Smith-Leonard" Line to the NHL
You can’t talk about Will Smith stats hockey without mentioning that legendary year at Boston College. In the 2023-24 season, Smith led the entire NCAA in scoring. 71 points in 41 games. He was a Hobey Baker finalist and essentially treated college defenders like traffic cones.
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The chemistry he had with Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard was bordering on telepathic.
Transitioning to the NHL meant losing those familiar linemates. In San Jose, he's had to learn to create space for himself. Early on, he had a tendency to over-pass, looking for the "pretty" play that worked in Hockey East but gets intercepted in the pros. Recently, he’s been more selfish in the best way possible. He’s taking the puck to the middle of the ice. He’s drawing penalties.
Why the Plus-Minus is Misleading
Last season, Smith finished with a $-15$. Critics pointed to it as a sign of "lazy" defense. That’s a bit of a lazy take itself. The Sharks as a whole had a goal differential that looked like a bank account after a bad Vegas trip. This season, he’s sitting at a $+5$. That swing is massive. It shows he’s stopped cheating for offense and started winning those "small area" battles in the defensive zone that lead to breakouts.
International Dominance and Big Game Pedigree
The kid is a winner. Period. He has a gold medal from almost every major international tournament he’s touched.
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- 2023 U18 Worlds: 20 points in 7 games. (Tied Jack Hughes for the American record).
- 2024 World Juniors: 9 points in 7 games and another Gold.
- 2025 World Championships: 7 assists in 10 games, helping Team USA end a decades-long drought.
When the lights are brightest, Smith tends to show up. It’s why the Sharks took him 4th overall in 2023. They weren't just drafting a point-producer; they were drafting a guy who doesn't blink in overtime.
What to Expect Next for Will Smith
We’re seeing the "sophomore surge" in real-time. Smith is currently centering a top-six line and getting prime Power Play 1 minutes. If he stays healthy, a 25-goal, 65-point season is very much on the table. He’s also improved his faceoff percentage, which was a glaring weakness last year (36.5%). He’s up to about 40% now—still not "Selke Trophy" level, but moving in the right direction.
If you're tracking will smith stats hockey for a fantasy league or just because you’re a die-hard Sharks fan, keep an eye on his "takeaways." He’s got one of the active sticks in the league, consistently stripping defenders in the neutral zone.
Actionable Insights for Following Will Smith:
- Watch the Power Play: Smith usually sets up on the half-wall. Watch how he manipulates defenders with his eyes—he often looks at the point while passing to the bumper.
- Track the 20-mph Bursts: His speed is underrated. When he hits more than five speed bursts over 20 mph in a game, he almost always ends up on the scoresheet.
- Check the Line Mates: His production spikes when he's paired with finishers like William Eklund. If the lines shift, his assist numbers might fluctuate.
The "Fresh Prince" of San Jose is officially the real deal. He’s no longer just a college phenom; he’s a cornerstone of the next generation of American hockey.
Next Steps for San Jose Fans: Keep a close eye on the Sharks' upcoming road trip through the Atlantic Division. This will be the true test of Smith's consistency against veteran defensive cores. If he maintains his current point-per-game pace through the end of January, he’ll likely cement himself as a top-three candidate for the team's MVP award.