Utah Mammoth’s 2025-26 Report Cards: Gabe Smith

In the final month of the regular season, Smith once again put up 13 points. However, he ended the season on a season-high eight-game point streak. The forward also ended the season on a four-game goal streak, scoring five during that span.

In total, Smith produced 38 more points than he did in 2024-25 for 77 points, producing career highs in every offensive category. He was third on the Wildcats in assists and points and second in goals. Smith also led the whole league in power-play goals with 18. 

The best for Smith was yet to come. The Wildcats went into the postseason not just as the number one seed in the Eastern Conference but the best team in the whole QMJHL. In the first round against the Saint John Sea Dogs, Smith produced five points in four games, including three goals, to help the Wildcats sweep the series.

Against the Val-d’Or Foreurs in the second round, Smith played some of his most dominant hockey, producing 10 points in a four-game sweep. He recorded a point in every single game of the series and scored six goals, which included a four-goal outing in Game 3.

The four-goal game against the Foreurs began a six-game goal streak that stretched into the Wildcats’ third-round series against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. While the Wildcats lost the first game of the series in a heartbreaking quadruple-overtime game, the team came back, with Smith producing four points in Game 2 to even the series.

The Armada pushed their opponents all the way to seven games, where the Wildcats finally punched their ticket to the finals with a 6-2 win. Smith scored his fifth goal of the series in the game. He produced nine points total across the seven games.

Entering the Gilles-Courteau Trophy Final, the expectation for the Wildcats was to win the series and punch their ticket to the Memorial Cup. It seemed like that’s exactly what would happen as the Wildcats took Game 1 against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens thanks to two goals from Smith, including the game-winner.

The Saguenéens won the next two games to take a 2-1 series lead. However, the Wildcats came back with a big win in Game 4 thanks to a three-point outing from Smith. He put up another three points in Game 5, but the Saguenéens won that game and Game 6 to end the Wildcats’ season.

Smith’s monster playoff run with 33 points in 21 games was one unmatched by anyone else. He led the entire QMJHL in points (33), goals (19), and power play goals (seven) during the postseason. The 19 goals tied Gabriel Borque’s league record. As a result, Smith won the Guy Lafleur Trophy, which is awarded to the playoff MVP.

The Future

After four seasons with the Wildcats, Smith’s junior career is officially over as he turns pro. The forward’s career ends at the perfect time with his breakout season and fantastic playoff run.

Smith will more than likely begin the 2025-26 season with the Roadrunners. It’s a perfect place for him to go. He’ll probably be surrounded by other young players like Tij Iginla, Cole Beaudoin, and his Wildcats teammate Caleb Desnoyers. On top of already existing Roadrunners players like Cameron Hebig, Ben McCartney, and Daniil But, Smith will join a team with a loaded top six.

It gives him the perfect opportunity to continue his dominant play from this past season. Smith had one of the best seasons out of any Mammoth prospect. A 38-point jump isn’t something to take lightly. He outscored Desnoyers and Tomas Lavoie in the playoffs, both of whom were drafted higher than him. 

Smith has always been an intriguing prospect. Before this season, the consensus was that the forward was a fantastic two-way player who could be physical, pitch in points, and forecheck hard. A solid future fourth liner. Now, after producing 77 points and 33 points in the postseason, Smith could really wind up as a second or third line guy if he can keep that offensive consistency.

Similar to Beaudoin, Smith’s two-way play should translate well over to the AHL. The big question is the offense. Can Smith produce as he did in the QMJHL? A lot of his offense with the Wildcats came from around or inside the blue paint. In the AHL, that area is going to be defended a lot more heavily by way more experienced and older players. Obviously, he’s not scoring 77 points in his AHL rookie season. However, if he can get 40 points or more next season with the Roadrunners, the forward will be looking like a major steal for the Mammoth.

Overall Grade

In Smith’s draft season, he put up 23 points. By the end of his junior career, not only did he continue his two-way play that was a big reason why the Mammoth drafted him, but he also found a way to make himself score 54 more points in a season.

Smith’s fourth and final season in the QMJHL was an important one for his development. It showed he can be a guy who puts up points while keeping true to a great two-way play. While the AHL and NHL will be a way different beast than the QMJHL, Smith is a guy who is not afraid to get to the dirty areas and use his body to get his team a win, something that will translate well to the pro level.

Overall, Smith is getting an A for his season. Nobody predicted him to have this dominant of a season, which was capped off by being named the playoff MVP. Smith quite possibly had the biggest year of growth out of any other Mammoth prospect this season. Even if the offense doesn’t come to the pro level, he’ll still be a useful tool deployed in a bottom-six role, used to throw the body around and bring a net front presence. The forward did show that his ceiling is higher than what anybody thought. He one day could be called the Mammoth’s biggest draft steal during their rebuild.