Watch: Smithtown’s Ryan Ufko scores first NHL goal in style

This Long Islander just scored his first NHL goal — and it was a beauty.

Smithtown native Ryan Ufko, 22, scored his first NHL goal in style, showing off slick hands and poise. The young defenseman deked past a defender, slipped in alone and beat Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord with a smooth forehand finish.

The goal came with 5:35 left in the second period, giving the Nashville Predators a 3–2 edge. They went on to secure a 4–2 win.

Ufko is in his second season in the Predators organization after signing a three-year entry-level contract in March 2024. He appeared in one NHL game last season and has spent most of his time developing with the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s AHL affiliate.

Since getting called up on March 5 for a matchup against the Boston Bruins, Ufko has made an immediate impact, posting two points in three games (one goal, one assist).

His AHL body of work has been just as strong. Ufko has racked up 44 points (11 goals, 33 assists) in 50 games with Milwaukee this season and earned AHL All-Star honors.

Before turning pro, Ufko starred at UMass from 2021 to 2024, developing into one of the program’s top blue-line playmakers.

Top: Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ufko (85) warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)