The New York Rangers locked in their highest draft pick in recent memory on Wednesday, signing defenseman Alberts Smits to a three-year entry-level contract. Team president and general manager Chris Drury made the announcement official, but anyone who followed the 2026 draft class probably saw this coming.
Smits, 18, went fifth overall in June’s NHL Entry Draft. That alone made history — no Latvian player had ever been selected that high. The previous record belonged to Zemgus Girgensons, who went 14th in 2012. NHL Central Scouting had Smits ranked as the second-best European skater available, so the Rangers weren’t exactly reaching.
What the Rangers Are Getting
Smits is 6-foot-3 and spent most of last season playing in Finland’s Liiga with Jukurit. He put up 13 points in 38 games — six goals and seven assists. Among all Liiga players under 18, that point total ranked second. He also led Jukurit’s defensemen in goals and finished third among the team’s blueliners in points.
But he didn’t stop there. Smits also played five games for EHC Munchen in Germany’s DEL and picked up an assist. Then in the playoffs for Munchen, he added six points in 11 games — two goals and four assists. At the junior level with Jukurit U20, he scored six goals in just five games. That’s 10 points total in U20 action.
Over two seasons with Jukurit’s senior team, Smits piled up 15 points in 47 games. Add in his U20 numbers — 19 points in 26 games — and you start to see why scouts think he’s close to ready.
International Experience Against Grown Men
Smits didn’t just light up junior leagues. He played for Latvia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he was the youngest player in the tournament and the only draft-eligible guy on the ice. He logged two assists in four games. That’s not nothing against that level of competition.
He also suited up for Latvia at the 2026 IIHF World Championship and led all Latvian defensemen with four assists. At the World Junior Championship, he served as an alternate captain and put up five points — one goal and four assists — in five games. Combine his Olympics and World Championship totals, and he had six assists in 12 games against senior pros.
What’s Next
Smits is expected to keep training after attending the Rangers’ development camp. He’ll head back to New York later this summer, presumably with a chance to crack the opening night roster. Scouts have called him one of the most NHL-ready defensemen in his draft class, and his track record against older players backs that up.
Whether he actually makes the team out of camp or needs a little more time in the AHL remains to be seen. But the Rangers clearly believe they got a good one.
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