Training Camp (9/18): Will Smith

Um it’s nice nice playing with a guy that can drive the play like that and um he also has the vision and and the shot to do it too. So it’s it’s very nice. You said you’re up to a 188. So how much more of is that compared to say end of last year? Um probably like five to six more pounds. What did you get out of the getting that gold medal and winning for playing for your country there? Yeah, it was it was amazing. I think um being in that long from from a country like the United States is pretty crazy and we knew that going into it. So, um, be able to break that kind of bad bad stint there was was pretty amazing. And then, uh, I’ve played for USA since I’ve been about 16, 17. And being able to do it on a world stage was pretty cool. What was, uh, did you get to know Ryan a little bit, you know, more in that environment, I guess, you know, just kind of being away from home and, you know, he he’s, you know, obviously coming into his second year as coach. What did he what did you kind of get from that experience just kind of being him around him in a different environment, maybe? Yeah, it was it was a little different, I think, cuz I was the only guy on the team from the Sharks, so besides the other staff members, but um yeah, I mean, it was just it was actually kind of nice that we were doing some of the same systems and stuff, so I knew that going into it. And then obviously he’s been coaching in the year, so we already had the relationship prior to the the tournament. What do you think uh Ryan did to help you guys kind of get to that gold medal um you know, the the championship there? I mean, what he does here, I think he’s he was pretty blunt with um it’s kind of unacceptable for the United States to go this long without winning and um he motivated our group and I thought we had a great group of guys too that we we all bonded pretty quickly so it was it was a good great tournament and the outcome we wanted. Did you see maybe a different side of him at all or was it the Warsoski that you see here but just on a you know bigger stage maybe? Um, maybe a little bit of both, but I think because he’s he’s proud to be American and he he took that job very seriously when he got it and um I know he’s he’s thrilled that we won that tournament. Was there a little disappointment not going being invited to the orientation camp there in Michigan? Yeah, I mean definitely fuels the fire. I think um every guy wants to be on that team. So I think something you want to be at and like I said, I love playing for my country. Well, but um I mean how does how did how does M look to you so far captain skates even the scrimmage there? I mean how does he look to you right now? Yeah, he looks good as usual. I think uh this is going to be a big year for him and I’m sure he’s going to take a massive step few more for a while. Is there a determination between between you two guys just to be the lead be more of a leaders now help get the shards to to where you want to go? Do you kind of want to take that? Do you feel you guys want to take that on? And definitely I think a lot of people are looking looking to us to kind of help us get to that next step, but um it’s not just going to be just us. There’s all there’s all the new prospects, all the guys um and even the older guys that we brought in are going to help us do that. But it’s obviously not going to happen with the snap of finger. You got to work at it. You mentioned you mentioned Ryan using the term unacceptable as it pertained to worlds. Like obviously it’s a very different situation here, but it’s been a while since this team’s been in the playoffs and I know that’s been in part by design to a degree. Like is that language is he saying stuff like unacceptable? Like how do you guys marry patience and and urgency coming into this season? Yeah. I mean, I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but um what are you getting from him in that regard? Like what what are those messages like? Yeah. No, I think he feels that and we feel that. I think we we know how long it’s been and um what the fans here deserve and uh how good San Jose was those that that chunk of years from the 2000. So I think we want to do it and he wants to do it. So I think it’s we got the right Cougar guys. One more. Did Mike uh address you guys this morning or last night and what was his message, you know, to the group? Yeah, it was last night. I think he touched on the same amount of things that we got to start start competing in this league and um get that respect that San Jose deserves. Um I’m sure there was a guys um consideration from USA for you for the orientation camp. Just wondering did you speak with them? Did they kind of give you a sense of oh what do you have to work on or do you what do you think you have to work on to get to that next step? Um I mean I’m not going to worry about it too much. America’s got a bunch of amazing players as everyone knows.

Sharks Forward Will Smith answers questions from the media at training camp on September 18, 2025

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