Prospect Update: Konnor Smith

By Thomas Harrington

Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, defenseman Konnor Smith finished his OHL career this past season and then joined the San Diego Gulls.

Smith played for two teams in the OHL. He started with the Owen Sound Attack where he was the captain. He scored four goals and eight points in eight games before being traded to the Brampton Steelheads where he scored six goals and 18 points in 32 games. He recorded a hat trick in October with Owen Sound before the trade.

Unfortunately, he suffered an injury in late October that kept him out of the lineup for several weeks. Smith was traded while still injured, and Owen Sound received seven draft picks in the deal. In late March, he went on an offensive tear, recording 10 points in a three-game stretch. He was named the OHL player of the week on March 24th. The Steelheads made the playoffs where Smith scored one goal and three points in six games. They faced Anaheim prospect Beckett Sennecke and the Oshawa Generals in the first round; the Generals defeated them in six games.

When his season ended, Smith joined the Gulls on an ATO and played in the final three games of the regular season, going scoreless. He was used on the second pairing for a couple of games, and as the team’s seventh defenseman in another. He played in fewer games with the Gulls than the previous season, but looked more poised on the ice and didn’t take any penalties.

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I had two expectations for Smith this past season, and he hit both. First, for him to improve his positioning without losing his physical edge. Smith still has a ways to go, but his overall game did improve this past season while still maintaining a physical brand of hockey. Second, for him to not be suspended. Smith has a bit of a reputation for undisciplined play and had been suspended the previous season. He was able to clean up his game this past season while still playing a physical brand of hockey.

This coming season will be Smith’s first full-time professional hockey season. He has nine games of AHL experience over the past two seasons, but this will be his rookie season. He should be involved in San Diego’s rotation, but if he struggles at times or the team simply has too many options, it’s possible he could get some playing time in the ECHL as well. Between Roland McKeown, Nikolas Brouillard, Ian Moore, Tyson Hinds, Noah Warren, Will Francis, and others, competition will be high for playing time.

I have a few expectations for Smith’s first professional season. First, to spend most of the year in the AHL. If he ends up playing a few games in the ECHL just because of how many bodies are on San Diego’s defense, that’s okay, but he needs to spend most of the year with the Gulls. Second, even though he’s not known for his offensive play, I’d like to see him score a few goals and points this season. Finally, I want Smith to limit the number of bad penalties he takes.

Smith is still a number of years away from the NHL. He’s probably pretty close to being physically mature enough to suit up for Anaheim, but his overall skill and play have a longer way to go. If he can play well for the Gulls over the next couple of seasons, I could see him getting called up in the 2027-2028 season.

Smith signed his entry-level contract in April. It will last for three years, and he’ll be a restricted free agent when it expires. As long as he makes good strides with San Diego, he’ll likely be extended, even if he hasn’t made his NHL debut. However, if he struggles to adapt to the pace of the AHL and spends much of the next few seasons in the ECHL, the Ducks will probably not qualify him and let him leave as a free agent.

The next prospect update will be on goaltender Calle Clang.

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August 31st, 2025