SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks’ front office and scouting staff had to enjoy what they saw Saturday night from their top prospect, Boston College freshman Will Smith.
Smith, selected fourth overall by the Sharks last season, had four goals and an assist as Boston College routed rival Boston University 6-2 in the Hockey East tournament championship game at TD Garden.
The win gave Boston College its 12th Hockey East tournament title.
Smith scored power-play goals at the 5:46 and 8:37 marks of the first period as the Golden Eagles took an early 2-0 lead. Smith then scored at the 6:46 mark of the third period to complete the hat trick and give his team a 4-1 lead.
Smith also assisted on Cutter Gauthier’s second-period goal and added an empty-netter with under two minutes left in regulation time, completing a four-point night as Boston College won its 12th straight game to reaffirm its status as NCAA Division I’s top team.
Smith now has an NCAA-leading 67 points in 37 games. Per NHL draft and prospects analyst Chris Peters, the only player 19 and under to score more points in a single season was center Jack Eichel.
The Fresh Prince earns his crown (or in this case his cap)
@NESN-Plus
pic.twitter.com/D0RRddI2uz— BC Men’s Hockey (@BC_MHockey) March 24, 2024
The Vegas Golden Knights center, as a freshman at Boston University in 2014-15 under then-coach David Quinn, had 71 points in 40 games. Quinn is in his second season as the Sharks’ head coach.
Smith was named one of 10 candidates for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as men’s college hockey’s top player. Saturday represented his 22nd multi-point game, his third multi-goal game, and his first hat trick of the season. His 67 points are the most ever in a season by a Boston College freshman.
The NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship bracket will be revealed Sunday afternoon, and Boston College is favored to be the No. 1 overall seed.
In the NCAA tournament, the single-elimination regionals will be held from March 28-31 at four sites. The winners of the four regionals will advance to the Men’s Frozen Four at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. on April 11 and 13.