LA Kings: Five USNTDP players to consider in 2020 NHL Draft
By Ryan Sikes
2. Ty Smilanic, Center
Considered to be one of the best pure skates in this class, Smilanic displays tremendous leadership, great vision, and puckhandling skills. The Denver, Colorado native stands at 6-foot-1, 179 pounds, and is a left-handed shot. He tallied seven goals with 15 assists in 34 games this past season with the U18 team. In the USHL, Smilanic scored three goals and six assists.
He displays excellent edgework and should get stronger as he physically matures. TSN has him ranked as the 39th best prospect in this draft class. The Kings have a wealth of centers, but Smilanic has experience playing at the left wing as well.
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3. Luke Tuch, Left Wing
Luke Tuch is the definition of a power forward. The Baldwinsville, New York native tallied 15 goals and 15 assists in 47 this past season for the U18 team. For the USNTDP Juniors, Tuch scored eight goals with six goals and kicked his year off in USHL with a bang, tallying two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over Green Bay.
His older brother, Alex, currently plays for the Golden Knights, and Luke has a commitment to play collegiate hockey at Boston University. TSN has him ranked as the 43rd best prospect in this draft class.