Last Updated on November 9, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Alberts Smits, also known as Alberts Šmits, is a Latvian professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on December 2, 2007, in Valmiera, Latvia, he grew up in Rūjiena in a family with a strong passion for ice hockey.
His parents are Dairis Smits and Ilona Smits, and he has an older brother named Harijs Smits, who also played competitive ice hockey. His father is a businessman and recreational hockey player, while his brother previously played youth hockey in Ukraine.
Smits has also spoken publicly about his romantic life. In a 2026 interview, he revealed that he was single and preferred to concentrate on his professional hockey career rather than pursue a romantic relationship.
Alberts Smits’s Girlfriend and Relationship Status
Alberts Smits publicly confirmed that he was single during an interview published by the Latvian magazine KLUBS and discussed by Santa.lv on July 2, 2026.
The young defenseman explained that he was not actively looking for a girlfriend because his hockey career required significant dedication and flexibility.
He said he appreciated the independence of making personal and professional decisions without having to consider how those decisions might affect a romantic partner.
Smits also discussed the challenges of maintaining a relationship while frequently relocating between countries for hockey.
For example, he explained that an unexpected move to another country could create difficulties for a girlfriend who would need to adjust to his demanding schedule.
Although Smits expressed interest in starting a family someday, he emphasized that his immediate priority was establishing himself as a professional hockey player.
His comments provide direct confirmation of his relationship status at the time of the interview. Any subsequent changes to his romantic life have not been reliably established through the public sources reviewed.
Does Alberts Smits Have Children?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Alberts Smits has children.
The Latvian defenseman has not publicly identified any sons or daughters, and official NHL biographies do not mention him being a father.
During his 2026 interview about relationships, Smits discussed the possibility of establishing a family in the future rather than describing himself as someone already raising children.
Consequently, no children can be attributed to him based on the available verified information.
Alberts Smits’s Parents
Alberts Smits was born to Dairis Smits and Ilona Smits. His parents raised him and his older brother, Harijs, in Rūjiena, a town in northern Latvia.
Both parents were closely involved in their children’s sporting activities, regularly traveling to hockey practices, games, and tournaments.
According to a February 2026 family feature published by the Latvian magazine IR, the Smits family devoted considerable time and resources to supporting the brothers’ hockey development.
Alberts Smits’s Father: Dairis Smits
Dairis Smits, whose Latvian name is Dairis Šmits, is Alberts Smits’s father and a businessman.
He has also played recreational ice hockey for many years, making the sport an important part of the family’s everyday life.
Dairis introduced his sons to hockey when they were young and regularly took them to practices and games.
Although he once suggested that Alberts try basketball, his son preferred ice hockey because he had spent so much time accompanying his father and older brother to the rink.
Growing up in Rūjiena presented some challenges because the town did not have an indoor ice arena.
The nearest suitable facility was approximately 40 kilometers away in Valmiera, where both brothers trained.
In an interview with IR, Dairis recalled the demanding family schedule, which sometimes involved separate training sessions for Harijs, Alberts, and himself.
The parents had to coordinate their work commitments, school schedules, and regular trips to the rink.
Dairis also helped his son pursue opportunities outside Latvia. When hockey activities were disrupted by COVID-19 restrictions, he investigated training possibilities in Finland.
His efforts helped Alberts continue developing his abilities through the Finnish youth hockey system.
In June 2026, Dairis traveled with his family to Buffalo, New York, for the NHL Entry Draft.
When the New York Rangers selected Alberts fifth overall, his father was visibly emotional.
In a July 1, 2026, interview with Latvian Public Broadcasting, Dairis explained that the draft represented the completion of one stage of his son’s development and the beginning of another, more demanding chapter.
He emphasized that Alberts would need to continue working hard to establish himself in professional hockey.
Alberts Smits’s Mother: Ilona Smits
Ilona Smits, known in Latvian as Ilona Šmite, is Alberts Smits’s mother.
She has played an important role in supporting his development from childhood through his progression into international and professional hockey.
Alongside her husband, Ilona helped manage the family’s demanding schedule, which involved regular travel between Rūjiena and Valmiera for training sessions.
Both sons were involved in competitive hockey, requiring their parents to make significant commitments of time and resources.
When Alberts decided to continue his development in Finland at a young age, Ilona initially found the prospect of him living abroad difficult.
However, she eventually supported the decision because it offered him an opportunity to improve his skills and gain valuable independence.
Ilona accompanied her husband and older son to the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo.
During an interview with Latvian Public Broadcasting, she described the excitement of hearing Alberts’s name announced as the fifth overall selection.
She recalled being overwhelmed with emotion as her son walked onto the stage to join the New York Rangers organization.
Despite the family’s excitement, Ilona stressed that being selected in the draft was only one step in Alberts’s career.
She acknowledged that moving from a small Latvian town to the highly competitive environment of New York would require significant determination.
Ilona’s professional occupation has not been reliably established in the public sources reviewed.
Alberts Smits’s Siblings
Alberts Smits has one publicly documented sibling, an older brother named Harijs Smits.
Harijs is approximately five years older than Alberts and also pursued competitive ice hockey during his youth.
Harijs Smits – Older Brother
Harijs Smits, known in Latvian as Harijs Šmits, is Alberts Smits’s older brother and a former competitive hockey player.
He grew up in Rūjiena and began playing organized hockey before Alberts.
According to a February 2026 profile published by IR, Harijs was approximately five years older than his brother and helped introduce him to the routines of competitive hockey.
The brothers frequently attended practices and games together, contributing to Alberts’s early enthusiasm for the sport.
Harijs eventually played youth hockey for a team in Ukraine before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
He subsequently ended his professional hockey ambitions.
When Alberts was approximately thirteen years old, he moved from Rūjiena to Riga to pursue additional hockey opportunities.
During that period, he lived with Harijs, although his older brother was frequently away because of his own hockey commitments.
The arrangement encouraged Alberts to become more independent and take responsibility for his daily routine.
Harijs also served as a motivating example. Alberts wanted to match his brother’s achievements and developed a competitive attitude toward training and improvement.
In February 2026, Harijs spoke to Latvian Public Broadcasting following Alberts’s performances at the Winter Olympics in Milan.
He expressed satisfaction with his younger brother’s development and acknowledged the progress Alberts had made against experienced international opponents.
Harijs also accompanied his parents and brother to Buffalo for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
In a July 2026 interview, he described his pride in Alberts while emphasizing that much of the achievement resulted from his younger brother’s personal dedication.
Harijs acknowledged that the family had supported Alberts whenever possible but believed his younger brother deserved the greatest credit for his progress.
There is no reliable public confirmation that Alberts has additional brothers or sisters.
How Alberts Smits’s Family Influenced His Hockey Career
Alberts Smits grew up in a family where ice hockey was an important part of everyday life.
His father regularly played recreational hockey, while his older brother pursued the sport competitively.
As a young child, Alberts frequently visited ice arenas and watched his relatives participate in practices and games.
He began developing his skills through the Valmiera hockey system, where coaches recognized his determination and potential.
Because of his abilities, he was sometimes given opportunities to compete against players older than himself.
His parents supported the progression despite the significant travel required from their home in Rūjiena.
During his early teenage years, Alberts moved away from home to pursue better hockey opportunities.
He eventually continued his development in Finland, where he learned to manage daily responsibilities while competing in a demanding hockey environment.
The experience helped him develop independence, discipline, and confidence.
Smits subsequently joined Jukurit in Finland’s top professional league, Liiga.
His performances attracted attention from NHL scouts and helped him earn opportunities with the Latvian national team.
He represented Latvia at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, becoming the youngest hockey player to participate in the tournament.
Later that year, the New York Rangers selected him fifth overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
The selection made Smits the highest-drafted Latvian player in NHL history.
On July 15, 2026, the Rangers announced that they had signed him to a three-year entry-level contract.
He subsequently joined the Rangers’ NHL roster for the 2026–27 season.
Throughout his development, Smits has credited his family’s support with helping him overcome challenges and pursue opportunities beyond Latvia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alberts Smits’s Family
Who is Alberts Smits’s girlfriend?
Alberts Smits stated in a 2026 interview that he was single and preferred to focus on his professional hockey career. No subsequent girlfriend has been reliably confirmed.
Is Alberts Smits married?
There is no verified public announcement confirming that Alberts Smits is married or engaged.
Does Alberts Smits have children?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Alberts Smits has any children.
Who are Alberts Smits’s parents?
His parents are Dairis Smits and Ilona Smits, who raised him and his older brother in Rūjiena, Latvia.
Who is Alberts Smits’s father?
His father is Dairis Smits, a Latvian businessman and recreational hockey player who played a significant role in introducing Alberts to ice hockey.
Who is Alberts Smits’s mother?
His mother is Ilona Smits, who supported his hockey development and attended the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo with the family.
Does Alberts Smits have siblings?
Yes. Alberts has one publicly documented sibling, an older brother named Harijs Smits.
Who is Harijs Smits?
Harijs Smits is Alberts’s older brother and a former competitive hockey player who previously represented a youth team in Ukraine.
How old is Alberts Smits’s brother?
Harijs Smits is approximately five years older than Alberts. His exact birth date has not been reliably confirmed.
Where is Alberts Smits’s family from?
The family is from Rūjiena, a town in northern Latvia. Alberts was born in nearby Valmiera.
What NHL team does Alberts Smits play for?
Alberts Smits plays for the New York Rangers, who selected him fifth overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
A dedicated ice hockey journalist, Janet Asprin delivers sharp, detailed coverage of the NHL season. From evaluating trade deadline moves and line combinations to analyzing power plays and postseason standings, Janet brings a fresh, structured perspective to every game. She focuses on translating high-speed rink strategy into compelling stories and actionable insights for hockey fans.
