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Jackson Smith’s College Hockey Rise | Columbus Blue Jackets News
Jackson Smith, the 14th overall pick in 2025, thrived as a freshman defenseman at Penn State, turning independence into maturity and dominating the NCAA with 11 goals and 25 points—tied for top freshman defensemen honors. He embraced the grind of student-athlete life, mastering self-reliance in dorms and balancing academics, social life, and elite hockey. While proud of his offensive flair, Smith knows he must sharpen his defensive IQ to become a complete two-way player. With NHL dreams in sight, he’s eager to return to Penn State for his sophomore season, fueled by the intensity of college…
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