Sit Down with Schutz: Andrew Smulkstys
Andrew Smulkstys is from Glenn Ellyn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He has played with the Fury since he was nine years old, and learned a lot since then. Smulkstys said, “My whole life, my coach, Dennis Vasquez, helped me a lot to get to this point. All the coaches who have helped me, and then my buddy Owen Fask, who’s here, of course, we both came from there. Great organization, helped me a lot for sure.”
Last year, in Smulkstys’ 18U season, he only played a handful of games for the Shamrocks, but this year, he is projected to play a full season of NAHL hockey. While he did not have any specific expectations, he was looking forward to joining this group. Smulkstys said, “You know, I was super excited coming here. It’s a good place to play. The fans and the support help a ton.”
These expectations have been met throughout the year. Smulkstys went on to say, “Everything’s been met. I had high expectations coming in, and I think they’ve been met. Our team’s doing pretty good, so I hope we can make a push for the playoffs.”
Defensemen do not always have the flashiest statistics, but their game is built on details. Smulkstys play is no exception to this theory, and he prides himself on the details of his game. Smulksys said, “I think to be a defenseman, you have to be smart, and just know what’s going on. For my game, I think I’m a two-way defenseman, puck mover, smart in the back end.” For Smulkstys, his main defensive partner this season has been Jordan Gudridge, who plays a slightly more offensive game. Smulkstys said, “ My D-partner is Jordan Gudridge, and he’s a little bit more offensive, so it’s kind of good to put us together. I get stuff going in the offensive zone, but also the defensive zone, we’re pretty solid.”
Once last season and twice this season, Smulkstys has had the opportunity to be pulled up and play for the USHL’s Fargo Force. These games and practices have given him a chance to learn, but Smulkstys values his time here in Watertown. Smulktys said, “Yeah, it’s a good experience, it’s fun, but I’d rather be here with my team.” He goes on to say, “Just seeing how fast it is, the speed of the game there, and to learn from it, and add that.”
Smulkstys, while he has only been in Watertown for this season, realizes how special the fan base is here. Smulkstys said, “It means a lot, I love playing here on Friday and Saturday nights in front of all the fans. Even when we’re on the road, we get a lot of support from billets, fans, and everybody.”
Shortly after this original interview was filmed, Andrew Smulkstys committed to play Division I hockey at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. We sat back down to discuss this amazing development.
The process for the commitment was quick, with the first time Alaska-Fairbanks staff watching Smulkstys play being a week before Christmas. Smulkstys said, “I didn’t really know, but I got a text the week after Christmas, when we came back, and we were playing the Mallards, and they started talking to me. I met a coach here in Watertown, at Starbucks, actually, and had a good conversation with him there. About a week and a half, two weeks later, I decided to commit there.”
For most young hockey players, their goal is to keep playing hockey as long as possible. Smulkstys had similar dreams, intending to play Division I hockey. Smulkstys said, “I mean, it’s been a goal of mine since I was a little kid, so I’m kind of achieving that now. It’s super exciting, and I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Smulkstys did not have the chance to go to Alaska or tour the school yet, but the opportunity means everything to him. Smulkstys said, “I don’t know, I’ve never been to Alaska. It’s pretty far and pretty cold, but it’s been a goal of mine to play Division I college hockey, so just to accomplish that, it’s pretty special.”
Thank you, Andrew, for sitting down with me!