Albert Šmits drafted fifth overall by New York Rangers

Latvian defenseman Albert Šmits was selected with the fifth overall pick in the June 2024 NHL draft, joining the New York Rangers. The selection sets a new record for the highest draft position ever achieved by a Latvian player, surpassing the previous best of 14th overall set by Zemgus Girgensons. Šmits said the move is “a huge relief” and expressed enthusiasm for developing his game within a strong organization, noting he must work on both strengths and weaknesses. He previously played in the Finnish championship, the German top league and represented Latvia at the Olympic Games in Milan‑Cortina. Rangers analyst Adams Herman called the pick a safe bet, emphasizing that while the team still needs defensive depth, Šmits has the potential to become a key player for New York.