Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State men's hockey junior center Nathan Smith has been named to Team USA for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

The 2022 Winter Olympic Games are scheduled for Feb. 4-20 in Beijing, China.

Smith, a Hudson, Fla., native and a three-time Central Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Week honoree this year, leads the country in scoring with 13-20--33. Selected in the third round (91st overall) by Winnipeg in 2018 National Hockey League entry draft, Smith's moved into a tie for 29th on Minnesota State's career scoring list with 31-54--85 in 85 career games played. He was named to the All-Tournament team last year as Minnesota State advanced to the NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Frozen Four for the first time.

Smith will join David Backes as Minnesota State men's hockey players to have played in the Winter Olympics. Backes played for Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings is also an assistant coach with the 2022 U.S. Men's Hockey Olympic Team.

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