NHL Draft: Three things to know about Rangers draft pick Alberts Smits
Alberts Smits poses for a portrait after being selected fifth overall by the Rangers during the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday in Buffalo. Credit: Getty Images/Joe Hrycych
Here are three things to know about defenseman Alberts Smits, drafted No. 5 overall by the Rangers on Friday night.
1. He moved from Latvia to Finland at age 13 in order to advance his hockey career.
2. When his team, Jukurit, realized it would not make the playoffs in Liiga, it loaned him to Munchen of the German league so he could get to play in the playoffs.
3. He had to go to Buffalo for the draft and draft combine anyway, so he took the opportunity to visit New York City. He said he enjoyed his time there.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
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