Janesville forward Smekhnov makes NCAA commitment

The Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that forward Arsenii Smekhnov has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Smekhnov, 21, just completed his third season of junior hockey and second season in the NAHL with the Jets. The 6’1/195 lbs. native of Kirov, Russia, appeared in 57 regular season games during the 2021-22 season and recorded 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists).

Back on August 10, 2020, Smekhnov had originally committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Long Island University. During the 2020-21 season, he appeared in 10 games for Long Island and recorded two points.

Smekhnov originally joined the Jets during the 2019-20 season at the trading deadline and appeared in 11 games, recording six points (1 goal, 5 assists). Smekhnov scored his first career NAHL goal on February 7, 2020, in just his second NAHL game.

In 68 career NAHL games with the Jets, Smekhnov recorded 32 points.

Smekhnov began that season with the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL, but was traded later in the season to the Fargo Force before arriving in Janesville.

In 86 career USHL games, Smekhnov recorded 13 points.

Prior to playing junior hockey, Smekhnov spent a year at the Salisbury School and played two seasons for the Colorado Evolution.

UW-River Falls, which is located 30 minutes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, plays in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and are 19-time WIAC Champions. The three-time NCAA National Champions play their home games out of the brand new 65-million-dollar W.H. Hunt Arena, located directly on campus.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list