Men's Ice Hockey

MSU's Smith named to U.S. Olympic Team

Minnesota State men's hockey junior center Nathan Smith has been named to Team USA for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games scheduled for Feb. 4-20 in Beijing, China. Smith will join Mavericks' Head Coach Mike Hastings who was named an assistant coach for Team USA at the Olympics and former Ferris State CCHA goaltender Pat Nagle. USA Hockey announced the final roster for its 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team tonight, a group that includes 15 current NCAA players, eight European pros and two players from the AHL. 

Smith, a Hudson, Fla., native and a three-time Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Player of the Week honoree this year, leads the country in scoring with 33 points (13G, 20A) in 22 games played this season. Smith was selected in the third round (91st overall) by Winnipeg in 2018 National Hockey League entry draft.

He moved into a tie for 29th on Minnesota State's career scoring list with 85 points (31G, 54A) in 85 career games played. He was named to the All-Tournament team last year as Minnesota State advanced to the NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Frozen Four for the first time.

Smith will join David Backes as Minnesota State men's hockey players to have played in the Winter Olympics. Backes played for Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

“We’re excited about the roster we’ve put together,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “The Olympics are the biggest stage in sports and it was fun to hear the enthusiasm our players have to represent their country. We’re fortunate to have a deep talent pool -- thanks in part to all the great work of our volunteers in communities across the nation -- and with the mix of players who are part of our team, we’re looking forward to competing for a gold medal in Beijing."

The 2022 Olympic Winter Games will take place Feb. 3-20 in Beijing, China. The U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team opens play on Feb. 10 when it faces host China in its first preliminary round game at 8:10 a.m. ET.

NOTES: All 25 players on the U.S. roster have played college hockey in the U.S., including 15 currently playing in the NCAA … A total of 10 players have spent time with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, which is celebrating its 25th season on the ice in 2021-22 … The roster features 21 players who have competed in the USHL and one who played in the NAHL … Of the 25 players, 19 have worn a letter at either the high school, junior, collegiate or professional level ... All 2022 U.S. Olympic Team nominations are subject to U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee approval … John Vanbiesbrouck is the general manager of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, with Marc Boxer serving as assistant general manager … David Quinn is the head coach of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, with assistant coaches Mike Hastings, Brett Larson, Scott Young, and David Lassonde and video coach Alex Dawes … Additional staff for the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team includes team leader Brij Singh; equipment managers Scott Aldrich and Nate LaPoint; athletic trainers Stan Wong, Jason Hodges and Chris Mizer; team physician Dr. Mike Stuart; and media officers Dave Fischer and Michael Reedy.


About the CCHA:
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) competes in the highest level of NCAA Division I Hockey and is regarded as one of the top player development leagues in the world for the National Hockey League (NHL). The CCHA consists of eight member universities, four in the state of Michigan: Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University and Northern Michigan University. Three in the State of Minnesota: Minnesota State University-Mankato, Bemidji State University and University of St. Thomas. One in Ohio: Bowling Green State University.