San Jose Sharks forward Will Smith and Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse go way back.

Smith played for Muse for two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2021 to 2023. During the 22-23 season, Smith finished the season with 127 points (51 goals, 76 assists) in 60 games.

Muse saw Smith play at a high school age and helped mold him into the successful player he is today.

“We got an opportunity to work together for two seasons at the NTDP, and I loved working with Will. Great person. He’s very driven,” Muse said.

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Smith played with fellow Boston College teammates and good friends Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard.

Muse is in his first season behind an NHL bench as a head coach with the Penguins. The 43-year-old had spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach of the New York Rangers.

“From last year, just even coaching against him and coaching against him a couple different times, and just seeing his growth in this league,” Muse said about facing Smith. “Just also just seeing his growth as a player from back when he was a junior in high school, the first time we were working together. It’s been great to see. [He’s a] great person, [with a] great family.”

Smith finished with one assist in two games against the New York Rangers last season.

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Muse gave praise to the San Jose Sharks forward and his move to the wing. Smith has always been described as a player who thinks the game of hockey very strongly. The Penguins head coach agreed and feels Smith can be a successful winger for the Sharks.

“Even as a young player, he showed versatility. He was able to play in different spots,” Muse said. “You saw that, especially in those two years there at the NTDP, where guys are, especially in the first year, playing a lot of different positions. Right away you could see that this is a guy who is going to be comfortable in different positions.”

Smith and Macklin Celebrini have shown tremendous chemistry in their early NHL careers. After starting the season on the same line, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky has split the young duo up. If thinks continue to go haywire, returning Smith to Celebrini’s wing could be the right move.

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