St. Cloud Forward Smith makes NCAA Commitment

Photo Credit: Aaron Lang

The St. Cloud Norsemen of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Nolan Smith has committed to play NCAA hockey for Univ. of Wisconsin-Stout in the WIAC.

The 6-foot-5 skater from the State of Hockey, Smith, will join the Blue Devils in Menomonie, Wisconsin, this upcoming fall. Smith started his junior hockey career in the NA3HL with the Mason City Toros. The ‘05 lefty got his first taste in the 2023-24 season playing in 12 games for the West Division team. He recorded five goals and notched nine assists with the NA3HL team, registering 14 points in that span.

He would return to the Toros for the 2024-25 season and go on to play in 17 games with Mason City, logging 18 points for the team. Smith lit the lamp on eight occasions while recording 10 assists for the Toros. Following his performance at the NA3HL Showcase in December, Smith earned the call-up to the League of Opportunity and skated with the Colorado Grit for the remainder of the season. Smith laced up in 27 games for the South Division club while tallying six points for the Grit. He scored three goals and notched three assists in that span for Colorado.

In Smith’s age-out season, he would stay in the South Division and play for the El Paso Rhinos. Smith held a leadership role for the Rhinos, serving as the alternate captain. He played in 38 games for the team in the Sun City while registering 22 points. The 6-foot-5 forward scored eight goals and notched 14 assists for the Rhinos. He would then be acquired by the St. Cloud Norsemen in his home state. He would finish out his season skating in 21 contests for the Central Division team, logging five points in the span. He tallied a goal and made four assists for the Minnesota-based team. In his final year of junior hockey, Smith did not miss a game, lacing up for 59 contests between the two teams.

The Sartell, Minnesota, native joins his St. Cloud teammate, Tyler Geyer, at the University of Wisconsin-Stout this fall. The Blue Devils are coming off clinching the WIAC title and a spot in the Division III tournament for the first time since 2009.

Smith is one of eight members of the St. Cloud Norsemen to make a college ice hockey commitment.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list