Views: 
| Birthdate |
1995-12-31 |
Hometown |
Elmwood Park, NJ |
| Position |
F |
Shoots |
L |
| Height |
5'11" |
Weight |
180 lbs |
History
2011-12: Played for the North Jersey Avalanche U16 team in the AYHL.
2012-13: Leading point scorer for the Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks of the Greater Metro Junior Hockey League (GMHL). In 40 games, Szmyd had 30 goals and 37 assists along with 16 penalty minutes. Scored 2 goals and 4 assists in 3 playoff games for the Lumberjacks.
2013-14: Leading scorer for the New Jersey Hitmen of the USPHL Elite Division after scoring 19 goals and assisting on 26 for 45 total points in 39 regular-season games. Recorded 1 goal and 1 assist in 9 playoff games before losing in the Elite Championship.
2014-15: -
Talent Analysis
Szmyd found plenty of success in the Elite Divison, potting 19 goals and 45 points in 39 games. His performance earned him the honors of Rookie of the Year; a feat that he will look to build on at the Premier level in the 2014-15 season. Standing at 5'11", 180 pounds, Szmyd is a powerful winger who plays a complete game. He is an above-average skater, with a powerful first few steps and effective acceleration to get him from point A to point B very quickly. Szmyd is strong on the puck, using his natural size and strength to protect it from pressure. Szmyd displays the ability to lower his shoulder and muscle past defenders when trying to thread a lane for himself toward the net. He carries a weapon of a wrist-shot, with a good release and impressive strength behind it. Szmyd also has the ability to find his teammates off the rush, locating openings quickly and making solid passes from the perimeter of the offensive zone. Szmyd gives a solid effort without the puck too. He uses his strength and build to come away with loose pucks on the walls and becomes a difficult player to compete with when he uses his body. Szmyd knows where to be on the ice to offer support to his teammates, and he is as consistent in his play away from the puck as he is with the puck. The '95 is responsible and hard-working defensively, coming back hard on the back check and pressuring the point to take away options by getting his body and stick into lanes. In one viewing at the Premier level in the 2013-14 season, Szmyd potted a goal and an assist. (Nick Perri, June 2014)
Future
Szmyd will play for the New Jersey Hitmen's Premier team in 2014-15. He is uncommitted.