Recruiting: Mitchell Smith commits to Michigan

By @MichaelCaples –

Big wins on the ice for the Wolverines this weekend, and a big one off of it, too.

The University of Michigan has secured a verbal commitment from Mitchell Smith, a 2002 birth-year defenseman currently skating for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U team.

“I picked Michigan for many reasons – such as the atmosphere at the rink and on campus,” Smith told MiHockey. “I can see myself there and I am looking forward to going to Ann Arbor.”

Smith said he did his homework on Mel Pearson’s program, and the Saginaw native is excited to join a list of talented youngsters expected to suit up for the Maize and Blue in the coming years.

“Their recruiting class for the 2000, 2001, and 2002 birth-years is amazing and I want to be a part of that,” Smith said. “The coaching staff is unbelievable and they play the style I want to play. The players are treated like pros and getting prepared to becoming a pro. The academics side of things, it is the best college in Michigan to attend.”

Smith was a USA Select 15 Camp invite last summer. In 2016-17, he played for the Belle Tire bantam major squad.