2020 NHL Draft Player Card: Ty Smilanic

Welcome to the new "Player Card" series at FloridaPanthers.com presented by Truist! In these articles, we'll break down both the basics and the beyond when it comes to some of your favorite Panthers players and prospects through their on-ice statistics, off-ice interests, and an informative Q&A session.
In today's card, we'll a look at Florida's 2020 third-round draft pick, Ty Smilanic.

THE BASICS

Name: Ty Smilanic
Position:Forward
Date of Birth:Jan. 20, 2002
Birthplace: Denver, CO
Height:6'1"
Weight:179 lbs.
Shoots: Left

2019-20 SUMMARY

When the Panthers selected Ty Smilanic in round three of the 2020 NHL Draft, they knew they were getting a two-way center with speed and strength.
What they may not have realized, is they were also helping him make history.
When Smilanic, now a freshman at Quinnipiac University, was selected at 74th overall, he became the highest-drafted player in school history.
But history aside, the Panthers had plenty of reasons to cheer when the 18-year-old forward was still available in the third round.
"I'm even more motivated now, especially because of sliding in the draft," Smilanic said. "I take that as a chance to grow as a person and grow as a player and hopefully be a big part of the Florida Panthers success down the road."
The two-way center was limited by various injuries throughout the 2019-20 season, but when healthy, he often played a top-line role for the U.S. National U18 Team. In his 34 games with the USNTDP, he racked up seven goals and 15 assists. In 12 games with USNTDP's junior team in the USHL, he posted three goals and six assists.
Smilanic really started turning heads during the 2018-19 season, where he was fully healthy and recorded 17 points in 33 games during his first season with Team USA in USHL competition.
On the international stage, Smilanic represented USA in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he scored two goals and added one assist for three points in five games, helping the U.S. earn silver.
Heading into 2020-21, Smilanic begins his college hockey career as a freshman at Quinnipiac University in the ECAC.

POST-DRAFT Q&A

FloridaPanthers.com: What was your initial reaction to being drafted by the Panthers?
Smilanic: Ever since I started playing hockey it was a dream of mine to get drafted into the NHL. To get drafted by the Florida Panthers, a team that has a lot of promise and a lot of great young players and prospects, it was a very cool feeling for me.
FloridaPanthers.com: With the draft being held digitally this year, did you find out on TV that you'd been selected or were you tipped off before the announcement was made?
Smilanic:Oh no, I had no clue. I saw my name come across the screen and that was my first time knowing so it was a surprise for me. It was cool that way. I was anxious the whole time, so it was cool to hear my name be called.
FloridaPanthers.com: You had your whole family there on the couch with you watching the Draft. What was it like waiting to hear your name called?
Smilanic: It was a little tough, I slid pretty far in the draft because of injuries the year before. It was a hard time for me but to have my family there the whole time made it much easier and to see how excited they were when I got drafted made those hard hours of waiting for your name to be called go away when I got to see how happy they were for me. It was definitely special having them.
FloridaPanthers.com: Coming from the USNTDP team, you had the chance to play alongside some really talented players and wear the USA jersey, what was that experience like?
Smilanic: For me, when I got the chance to play for that team it was a no-brainer. To get the chance to represent your country and your family was unbelievable. Not a day went by that I took it for granted. Getting to put on the USA jersey, you get to throw on your country's colors. I have some unforgettable memories and it was definitely a privilege to be able to play there.
FloridaPanthers.com: What have the weeks since the draft been like?
Smilanic:To be honest nothing has changed. At the end of the day now I'm a prospect of the Florida Panthers. The one thing that has changed is I'm even more motivated now, especially because of sliding in the draft. I take that as a chance to grow as a person and grow as a player and hopefully be a big part of the Florida Panthers success down the road.
FloridaPanthers.com: You're a freshman this year at Quinnipiac. It's been an unconventional start to your college career, but what do you hope to accomplish during your time playing in college?
Smilanic: I couldn't be more excited. There is such a great group of guys here. We have a great team here, I'm just excited to contribute to that as a freshman. That's a big reason I came here, to be able to have a big part on the team right away. I can't wait for the games to get going and see how we do.
FloridaPanthers.com: You made history when you were selected by Florida at 74th overall as the highest drafted player in school history at Quinnipiac, does that add any extra pressure as you start your college career?
Smilanic:No, honestly, I didn't know what the record was before, and I didn't know I was the highest drafted player (from Quinnipiac) until I was told later on. It was definitely a special feeling when I heard that, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter. There are great guys on this team and great players that weren't even drafted, so they have something to prove this season just as much as I do.
FloridaPanthers.com: After working so long and hard to be drafted into the NHL, do you feel any different now that you are finally affiliated with an NHL team like the Panthers?
Smilanic: I don't think too much changes. I'm just gonna keep working. The only thing that changes is that last year I was working to be drafted by a team. Now that I have been I'm working to make that team. Not only make that team but become a big part of that team down the road.

QUICK HITTERS

Hockey Idol Growing Up: Joe Sakic
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Movie: Miracle
Last TV Binge Watch:Big Mouth
Favorite Video Game: NHL21
Dream NHL Video Game Teammate: Nathan McKinnon or Connor McDavid
Favorite Pump-Up Song:pretty much any Eminem song
If I wasn't a hockey player, I'd play this sport: Football