LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Porcupine Plain's Tarin Smith poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (submitted photo - Tarin Smith/Candice Ward, Getty Images)

By Ben Tompkins

Dream Come True

Porcupine Plain’s Smith taken by Ducks in 2024 NHL Draft

Jul 3, 2024 | 4:36 PM

A northeast hockey player just celebrated one of the most memorable moments of his entire life… hearing his name called in the NHL Draft.

Porcupine Plain’s Tarin Smith was selected by the Anaheim Ducks 79th overall (14th pick in the 3rd round), this past Saturday at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

“Leading up to it, it was pretty nerve-wracking, I would say I was a little bit stressed out, but being up there with my family and hearing my name called, I did kind of black out a little bit and I think that it was one of the most special moments I’ll probably ever feel in my life. It was so cool just to be able to experience that alongside my parents and sister,” Smith told northeastNOW.

“It was definitely worth it to be there in person, along with hearing my name called, I got to see all my buddies and people who I’ve played against and played with over the years, who were also going through the same experience. I had a teammate there as well, so it was pretty cool to share the experience with guys like that.”

Smith played this past season with the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League (WHL) where he registered 49 points in 75 games as a defenceman.

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The 2006-born product explained he’d likely return to the WHL for an additional two seasons before trying to make the jump to play with young phenoms like Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, and more.

“Just being able to see all the young talent they have, especially the last couple of days that I’ve been out here in Anaheim, is pretty cool. I know Owen Zellweger who is on the Ducks right now because I played with him a little bit last year and the year before in Everett, so being around guys like that is pretty sweet,” Smith added.

“It was a pretty good year in Everett just knowing that the draft was approaching and stuff. It was just such a great spot for my development and I definitely have to give the coaches there a bunch of credit because they’ve taught me as much as possible these last few years.”

One big step down in a journey that’s just beginning for Smith, as the pressure of the draft is now gone and he can focus solely on the Silvertips.

For any hockey player, it’s a huge accomplishment, but for a guy from small-town Saskatchewan who found himself catching passes from Ryan Getzlaf in Orange County, California, it’s a pretty darn week that not many could have anticipated.

“I know I turn quite a few heads whenever I tell someone that I’m from Porcupine Plain, but I think it’s just so cool. Coming from a small town, I’ve just gotten so much support from everyone in that area,” concluded Smith.

“Obviously a place like Anaheim is a big jump, especially living-wise, but even in Everett, all the people in the organization and the guys on the team just make it feel so seamless. They make me feel so comfortable and welcome me with open arms… I’m just super excited for what the future holds.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8