#46– Albert Smits, Latvia
Live Scouting: Germany 4 vs Latvia 1
By Jocke Andersson, Head Scout Sweden
Name: Albert Smits
Position: Defenseman (Left Shot)
Date of Birth: December 2, 2007
Height/Weight: 6’3” / 205 lbs (191 cm / 93 kg)
Nationality: Latvia
Current Team: Jukurit (Liiga, Finland)
Tournament: Deutschland Cup 2025 – Representing Team Latvia
Albert Smits is a 17-year-old left-shot defenseman who represented Latvia at the 2025 Deutschland Cup, marking his first appearance at the senior international level. Currently playing professionally with Jukurit in Finland’s Liiga, Smits is viewed as one of Latvia’s most promising young defense prospects and a potential early-round selection for the 2026 NHL Draft. His mature decision-making, steady defensive play, and composure under pressure make him stand out among peers his age.
Smits is a fluid and efficient skater with impressive stride mechanics for a player of his size. His long, powerful strides allow him to cover ice efficiently, maintaining strong gap control in transition. Mobility and edge control are well above average, though his initial acceleration and first-step quickness can continue to improve with added lower-body explosiveness. He demonstrates smooth pivots and can recover positioning effectively when defending rush chances.
He shows notable calmness on retrievals and strong awareness of pressure. Smits consistently surveys his surroundings, making smart, efficient breakout passes that initiate clean exits. He favors the high-percentage play over risk, but can skate pucks out of danger when lanes close. His passes are crisp and accurate, showing confidence in short and medium-range outlets. Offensively, he keeps pucks low and on target from the point, displaying a growing ability to find shooting lanes through traffic.
Smits’ defensive instincts are advanced for his age. He maintains tight defensive gaps and uses an active stick to disrupt passing lanes. His reach and body positioning allow him to steer attackers away from dangerous areas, and he rarely overextends in pursuit of contact. Shows poise in one-on-one situations and communicates effectively with his partner. Smits’ strength and leverage allow him to control net-front play, though continued physical development will further enhance his effectiveness against stronger professional forwards.
Smits exhibits a high level of hockey intelligence and composure. He reads developing plays early, supports teammates effectively, and makes mature decisions under forecheck pressure. Rarely caught out of position, he displays good spatial awareness and a professional approach to game management. His calm demeanor translates into consistent, mistake-free shifts that inspire confidence from coaches.
While not a punishing hitter, Smits competes hard and uses his frame effectively to separate opponents from the puck. He finishes checks when needed, wins most board battles through leverage and body positioning, and plays with quiet toughness. His compete level is steady — he brings the same effort and attention to detail every shift. As he continues to add strength, his physical impact will become a larger part of his game.
At the Deutschland Cup, Smits was utilized primarily in a third pairing and penalty-kill role, gaining valuable experience against veteran European competition. His poise under pressure stood out, as did his ability to read plays and make safe outlet passes under an aggressive forecheck. Despite limited minutes, he showed flashes of confidence carrying the puck and displayed reliability beyond his years. Latvia’s coaching staff clearly viewed his inclusion as an investment in long-term development — a sign of trust in his maturity and upside.
Smits projects as a top four, two-way defenseman capable of logging significant five-on-five and penalty-kill minutes. His combination of size, hockey sense, and composure fits the profile of a modern stay-at-home defender with puck-moving efficiency. If he continues to improve his first-step acceleration and adds more confidence in offensive zone play, Smits could become a reliable, all-situations NHL blueliner.
Its important that hecontinue improving lower-body strength and first-step acceleration to match pace at higher levels.
Smits should go on with making his Offensive Confidence expand blue-line movement and deception to become more dangerous on the point.
He is already good but can still improve his physical Consistency and maintain assertiveness in board battles and net-front coverage against larger opponents.
I can see him as a late 1st rounder or a high 2nd rounder of the draft 2026.