Spokane Chiefs defenseman Ty Smith named to Canada’s team for U18 world championships

Spokane Chiefs defenseman Ty Smith will represent Canada at the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation U18 World Championships in Russia, Hockey Canada announced Thursday.

Smith is one of six defensemen on the team, which will practice next week in Etobicoke, Ontario. The team will play two games before the official event, April 19-29 in Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk, Russia.

Smith, 17, recently completed his second season with the Chiefs, ranking second among Western Hockey League defensemen with 73 points.

The first-team Western Conference selection is ranked as a top prospect headed in to this summer’s NHL Entry Draft.