A native of Tampa Bay representing Team USA hockey in Beijing

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TAMPA, Fla. – For the first time, the NHL draft selection, which invites Tampa Bay home, has been selected to play for Team USA at the Winter Olympics.

After the NHL had to withdraw from the competition due to COVID-19, Hateson resident Nate Smith, who currently plays at Minnesota State University, was announced as one of the selections. The Winnipeg Jets have chosen Smith.

He received a call last week that he will represent the United States in Beijing. It’s a big step for a hockey player who grew up in a state not exactly known for his ice.

“It’s still quite a long way for me because I’m just from Florida,” he said. “I’ve come a long way, pretty much in every way.”

He started playing hockey on the Rollerblades as a child, but eventually he played on ice at River Ridge and Mitchell High School in Pasco County.

“When I was playing, there wasn’t much ice, at least I knew it,” he said at a press conference hosted by his school. “It seemed to be growing more and more every year.”

Today in sunny Tampa Bay Is hockey town.

There are half a dozen pitches with leagues for all ages, strong high school leagues, and of course the two-time Stanley Cup champions have made hockey as easy to reach as any other sport.

“We’re definitely doing something here,” Smith coach Carl Napoli said.

Naples coached Nate as a young roller hockey player and then at Mitchell High School.

“It kind of justifies all the work and effort that kids and parents have done into all of this.”

Naples says Smith’s work ethic revolves around winning. If he can do it this time, he has more than a “Florida Boy” title on his neck.

“I’m very honored,” Smith said. “A lot of people don’t have a chance to call themselves an Olympic man. I’m excited to get this going and I can’t wait to get to Beijing.”

Team USA’s first game will be played on February 10 against home team China.