Here's who the Habs acquired and his connection to Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton

Big news last night, as Canadiens GM Kent Hughes traded defenseman Ben Chiarot to the Florida Panthers:

In exchange, the Montreal Canadiens got the services of young Ty Smilanic.

Who is he exactly?


Smilanic was selected in the third round by the Florida Panthers in 2020. He is currently playing in the NCAA with the Quinnipiac University Bobcats.

Smilanic, 20, was drafted 74th overall by the Panthers in 2020. He had 22 points in 38 games this NCAA season (13 goals) and 21 points in 29 games last season (14 goals).

He was also a member of Team USA's Under-20 team at the most recent World Junior Hockey Championship. (and will be back with them when the tournament resumes this summer)

Smilanic is a good acquisition for Kent Hughes, according to many. He is a defensively responsible 20-year-old center who is intense, hard-working and good at battling along the boards in his defensive territory.

He also has a good, accurate and powerful shot, and is capable of scoring goals by going to the front of the net in traffic.

Elliotte Friedman mentioned earlier tonight that Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes know Ty Smilanic well, because he's about the same age as two of their sons, so they've seen him a lot.

Here he is, in action: