Terrell Goldsmith's physical style put him on the radar of the NHL's Arizona Coyotes. (Submitted Photo/Mark Peterson Media)

By Rob Mahon

Goldsmith Gets Drafted

From forest to desert: Raiders Goldsmith thrilled to be drafted by Coyotes

Jun 30, 2023 | 11:00 AM

Terrell Goldsmith has achieved a major milestone in his hockey career. Now, as he well knows, the real work is about to begin.

Goldsmith was selected in the fourth round, 102nd overall, of the NHL entry draft by the Arizona Coyotes. He becomes the third Prince Albert Raiders defenseman in the last four seasons to be selected in the draft.

“I don’t even know how to explain it, it’s pretty surreal for me,” Goldsmith said. “I was kind of in the moment, it was just like, ‘Wow’.”

Being drafted wasn’t a total shock to Goldsmith, who attended the NHL combine and interviewed with multiple teams. In fact, he may

even had some inkling that the Coyotes were interested in taking him.

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“I talked to them quite a bit throughout the year,” said Goldsmith. “At the combine, they seemed interested as well. It was definitely a good place (to be drafted), a great area and a great organization.”

Moving from Prince Albert, where winter temperatures regularly hit -40C, to Arizona where an average day in January is 20C is just one transition Goldsmith will have to make if he cracks Arizona’s roster. To help with the hockey transition, he’s had advice from his head coach Jeff Truitt.

“I had lots of advice from him going up through the year,” Goldsmith said. “Working on parts of my game, how I’m going to be busy going through the process like everyone does, all the interviews and that kind of stuff. Working hard, working on my game, and try to be the best person I can on and off the ice was big for me.”

In Goldsmith’s first season in the league, the COVID-shortened hub environment in Regina, he played alongside Nolan Allan, who was going through the same draft year process. The next season, he had Allan and Kaiden Guhle (who was injured early in the hub and played only two games) to help show him the way.

“He (Allan) was a pretty big role model for me when I was younger, going through it when I was in the bubble that year,” said Goldsmith. “It was definitely cool being around him and learning off him through the experience, seeing what he does.”

Being drafted isn’t the only thing Goldsmith and Allan have in common. Both play a physical, bruising style and are willing to block shots and stand up for their teammates. The prototype of the modern defenseman may have changed, but there’s still a place in the game for a steady, reliable, and sometimes nasty blueliner.

“I’m definitely one of those defensemen,” Goldsmith said. “With Vegas winning the cup, they had pretty similar big d-men. That’s good for me, and I just play my game.”

Now comes a busy summer for Goldsmith. The Coyotes development camp will be early in July, and from there it will be training and traveling, and probably some movement back and forth between Arizona and Prince Albert.

“I’m pretty thrilled,” Goldsmith said. “I dreamed about it growing up as a kid, and it’s pretty surreal when it becomes a thing. I’m excited to see what happens and use my opportunity as best I can.”

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP