Acquisition of Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens from the Florida Panthers: young forward Ty Smilanic leaves the NCAA

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Elias Edmonson
September 8, 2023 (3:40 PM)

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Many experts were surprised when the Montreal Canadiens released their official lineup for the rookie camp, to find that Ty Smilanic will be there!

Normally, players who play in the NCAA, like Lane Hutson and Jacob Fowler, do not participate.

So, many saw a clear hint indicating that Smilanic has decided to make the jump to the professionals and not return to the NCAA.

We now have an answer, thanks to journalist Marc Antoine Godin.

"Prospect Ty Smilanic has decided to leave the University of Wisconsin and try his luck in the pros. He will try to convince the Canadiens during the camp that he deserves a contract. It is more feasible, I am told, that he secures an AHL or dual AHL/ECHL contract."

So, he will indeed be present at the camp! It remains to be seen whether he will secure an NHL or AHL contract. We will have the answer soon.

Smilanic, 21 years old, was acquired in the transaction concluded between the Montreal Canadiens and the Florida Panthers in 2022 involving Ben Chiarot.

He collected 2 points in 14 games last season at Wisconsin (Big-10).

He is a forward standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 177 pounds.

More details to follow.