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Sharks' Will Smith Will Enjoy First MSG Experience With Former Coach Behind Rangers Bench

max miller
·2 min read

San Jose Sharks rookie center Will Smith has never played at Madison Square Garden until tonight and will play in front of his former U.S. National Development Program coach.

Dan Muse is an assistant coach for the New York Rangers and was Smith's head coach during his 2022-23 season with the U.S. National U-18 Team. Smith's draft season with the USNDP helped him get drafted 4th overall by the Sharks in 2023. He scored 51 goals and 76 assists in 60 games.

"We chatted real quick right before [morning skate]," Smith told THN this morning. "It's pretty funny that we were together on the U.S. team two years ago, and now we're both NHL, so it's pretty cool."

Muse joined Peter Laviolette's staff in 2023 and helped the Rangers to win the President's Trophy and an Eastern Conference Final appearance.

"I was with him when I got drafted, so he got me that point. He was a great coach there," Smith said. "I stay in touch with everyone from that team. It was a pretty tight-knit team, so it was awesome."

Smith said he took a moment to look around the World's Most Famous Arena this morning.

"Probably saw the banners [first]," Smith said. "[Seeing the] Harry Styles and Billy Joel [banners] is pretty cool too."

Smith is set to play his second consecutive game on the wing for the Sharks tonight. He will also be on one of the powerplay units with Macklin Celebrini.

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