Ty Smilanic: A Path That Begins and Ends with Family
Ty Smilanic – USA Hockey NTDP - USHL - Quinnipiac University Commit
An Elizabeth, Colorado native, Ty Smilanic’s journey into hockey began at the early age of four. Although no one in his family played hockey or even high division sports, his father is a devoted student of the game and that ability to pick up the intricacies of the ice were inherited by Ty. Ty’s passion for hockey was only bolstered by their season tickets to Avalanche games during his childhood. Ever since, he and his family have cheered on their hometown team at the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver. They carry that passion over to the rink anytime he is on it.
Ty’s father and mother, Pete and Nancy, own a construction company in Denver where Ty’s brothers, Nate and Justin, work. It truly is a family business. With such a large tight-knit family, Ty is no stranger to sharing the spotlight and having a team-first attitude. They keep him grounded. Even Nate, whose sarcasm Ty says makes him the funniest in their family. Whether they’re hitting the mountains for a ski trip, spending time at home watching a movie, or grabbing some sushi and cotton candy on a night out, they make the most of their time together and he feels fortunate for every minute spent with them.
After spending the majority of his life in Colorado, Ty’s family has progressively made the move to Birmingham, Michigan, with Pete recently joining Ty, his mother and 17-year old sister Rachel. His family moved to Michigan when he was 12, then back to Colorado for two years and have now made their stay in Michigan, at least for the near future, permanent. Although Birmingham is where his parents and sister reside, he still feels more at home in the mountains of Colorado than the waters of Lake Michigan. He’ll still visit his brothers in Denver, but Ty's parents have been at the heart of his personal and professional development. As the saying goes, "home is where the heart is" and Ty's heart is where his family is. His parents are his role models. After all the family drives to the rink and all the pre-game and post-game meals, he “just wants to make them proud” and show them their sacrifices were well worth it.
Along the road, Ty was lucky enough to receive guidance from a few others. Growing up in Colorado, he had the benefit of being coached by Avalanche great, Joe Sakic. Ty says “he taught me to treat everyone equally” and “to come onto the ice ready to work harder every time to get better.” Sakic always encouraged him to stay level-headed and consider his actions before making them. Another was USA Hockey Coach Seth Appert. Coach Appert preached that “your team is your family”, while also challenging him to become better every day on and off the ice. Ty attributes much of his recent development to Coach Appert and appreciates the positivity, win or lose, that he brought to the locker room.
Most importantly, his USA teammates have become part of his extended family. Whether they were in the gym, on the ice, or on a bus, they would spend eight or nine hours a day building a bond that only they would understand. When he looks back, he can now see how building those moments strengthened their performance on the ice. There’s no doubt that with those relationships came a level of traveling that wears on you over two years, but the friendships and opportunity far outweigh the sacrifice. He’s built strong ties with everyone, particularly teammates Dylan Peterson and Hunter Strand and wishes his time competing alongside them could’ve been longer.
But for Ty, competing on the ice was only half of the equation. The other half was bigger than him. It was the opportunity to represent his country. He’ll “always remember how special it felt to put on the USA jersey for the first time and sing the national anthem.” Getting a win against Sweden was icing on the cake. Now, he’ll have that memory forever and be able to hang that jersey in his bedroom as a reminder.
With greater success and a national team roster spot came a lot of pressure for an 18-year old, but Ty doesn’t only love the pressure, he thrives in it. His mind is on the ice and not the pressure that comes with it. Achieving that clarity helps him stay focused. His motto is “if you’re dedicated and love it, you’ll figure it out.” For those who try to bring him down from that mindset, he doesn’t take their criticism personally. Instead, he uses it as motivation. Over time, he knows he’ll prove them wrong and maybe even change a few perspectives.
While some try to bring him down, he’s looking forward to one day lifting others up. He knows he’s blessed to be healthy and have a family who always supports his hopes and dreams. That’s why he’s looking forward to one day helping families and kids who aren’t as fortunate, specifically those in organizations like the Make-A-Wish Program. With a genuine attitude and the mindset to go with it, he’s hoping that he’ll be able to put a few smiles on a few faces…college goaltenders excluded.
“If you’re dedicated and love it, you’ll figure it out.”
The college recruiting trail was different for Ty than most. Many top recruits go to NHL pipeline schools like Boston College, Michigan, and Minnesota. His parents encouraged him to explore every option available to him. When he visited Quinnipiac University, he knew that’s where he belonged. With smaller classes, he knows he’ll receive more individual attention and that he’s not just a number in a classroom. He felt at home off and on the ice, with the coaching staff explaining to him the type of role they saw him fulfilling, both current and future. Unlike many athletes, he doesn’t see Quinnipiac as a stepping stone to the next level. He chose it because of the people he met. He chose it because he wants to bring Quinnipiac a national championship. Choosing Quinnipiac says something about how Ty approaches his path in life…he’s “never afraid to be different.”
If somehow that path changes, you may see him on the sidelines coaching, broadcasting, or using his business degree as an executive. Yet, no matter where that path leads, at the end of the day, he knows where it ends…and that’s with family.