Sounds like the wings picked up a Hockey player that idolized Brendan Shanahan, but with defenseman skills. Wings need some help on the d-line. Hopefully this draft pick can add to the teams near future.

And, yes, Smith was shocked and pleased to be chosen by the Wings, too.

“When my name was announced I was like “Was that my name?’ ” Smith said. “That was interesting. I’m thrilled. I can’t even describe it.”

On the surface, Smith fits the profile of the typical Wings draftee that’s a defenseman.

He can move the puck, is a great skater, quarterbacks the power play, and even though he lacks some size now at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, he’s not afraid to throw his body around. Brendan Smith grew up in Toronto and was raised near Mimco, where former Red Wing Brendan Shanahan was born and raised. Smith wears No. 14, after Shanahan. detnews