Colin Smith (ice hockey)

Colin Smith
Born (1993-06-20) June 20, 1993
Edmonton, AB, CAN
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 172 lb (78 kg; 12 st 4 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Colorado Avalanche
NHL Draft 192nd overall, 2012
Colorado Avalanche
Playing career 2013present

Colin Smith (born June 20, 1993) is a Canadian ice hockey player. He is currently playing for the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Smith was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the 7th round (192nd overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Junior

Smith, played midget originally with CAC Edmonton Canadians of the Alberta Midget Hockey League. In the 2008–09 season Smith joined the Western Hockey League after he was drafted 7th overall in the WHL Bantam draft in 2008 by the Kamloops Blazers.

As a centre with average size, Smith developed a high hockey sense in his four-year outstanding career. He was awarded the Doc Seaman Memorial Trophy when he was only 17 years old, a coveted trophy given to the Western Hockey League's Scholastic Player of the Year. In 2011, he played in the Under-18 World Championship in Germany representing Canada. "The entire Kamloops Blazers organization is very proud of Colin Smith for earning this award," remarked Craig Bonner, Vice President and General Manager to Kamloops Blazers. Smith happens to be the third player to win this award for the Blazers.[1]

Smith added another feather to his cap, when he was selected by the Colorado Avalanche, the fifth Blazer since Ray Macias, the first in 2005.[2]

In his final year with the Blazers in the 2012–13 season, Smith was a contender throughout the season as the WHL's leading scorer. Alongside linemate J.C. Lipon, Smith helped the Blazers set a franchise record in consecutive wins whilst earning consideration for the Canadian World Junior Squad.[3] Smith finished fourth overall in league scoring with 106 points in 72 games and was rewarded for his outstanding performance with a selection to the 2013 WHL West First All-Star Team.[4]

Professional

On July 5, 2013, it was officially announced that Smith had signed a three-year entry level contract with the Colorado Avalanche.[5] After attending the Avalanche's training camp and taking part in his first pre-season, Smth was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters for the 2013–14 season. He made his professional debut against the Abbotsford Heat in the season opener before Smith enjoying a successful rookie campaign in finishing as the only Monster to play in each game and lead the team amongst rookies with 34 points in 76 games.

During his second season with the Monsters in 2014–15, Smith received his first NHL recall by the injury stricken Avalanche on November 30, 2014.[6] On December 1, 2014, he made his NHL debut, as a center on the fourth line, in a 4-3 defeat to the Montreal Canadiens before he was re-assigned to the Monsters the following day for the remainder of the year.[7]

In the last year of his entry-level contract, Smith was re-assigned to begin the 2015–16 season with new AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. Smith emerged amongst the top scorers with the Rampage and placed third with 34 points in 54 contests before he was traded by the Avalanche, along with a fourth round pick in the 2016 draft, to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Shawn Matthias on February 21, 2016.[8] Smith was immediately assigned to Toronto's AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, who are favourites to win the Calder Cup championship, and are at the top of the AHL standings, leading the 2nd place team in the league by 16 points at the time of the trade. Smith is expected to play an important role in their playoff run.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2008–09 CAC Edmonton Canadians AMHL 34 23 32 55 10
2008–09 Kamloops Blazers WHL 8 0 4 4 4 4 1 0 1 0
2009–10 Kamloops Blazers WHL 48 5 21 26 46 4 2 2 4 2
2010–11 Kamloops Blazers WHL 72 21 29 50 61
2011–12 Kamloops Blazers WHL 72 35 50 85 51 11 3 7 10 12
2012–13 Kamloops Blazers WHL 72 41 65 106 72 12 2 12 14 2
2013–14 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 76 8 26 34 66
2014–15 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 53 12 19 31 22
2014–15 Colorado Avalanche NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2015–16 San Antonio Rampage AHL 54 13 21 34 33
NHL totals 1 0 0 0 0

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2010 Canada Pacific U17 5th 5 1 3 4 4
2011 Canada WJC18 4th 7 2 1 3 14
Junior totals 12 3 4 7 18

Awards and honours

Award Year
WHL
Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy 2011
First All-Star Team 2013 [9]

References

  1. Smith, Colin. "Colin Smith Wins the WHL Scholastic Player of the Year". OSC (Our Sports Central). Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  2. Smith, Colin. "Colin Smith Selected by Colorado Avalanche". OSC. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  3. Smith, Colin. "WHL Roundup: Colin Smith leads Blazers over Hitmen 3-2 in a shootout". The Canadian Press. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  4. "Hawks With 7 All-Stars, 2 Award Finalists". Portland Winterhawks. 2013-04-25. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
  5. "Avalanche announce signings". Colorado Avalanche. 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  6. "Sgarbossa and Smith called to Avalanche from Lake Erie". Denver Post. 2014-11-30. Retrieved 2014-11-30.
  7. "Game management costly in 4-3 loss". Colorado Avalanche. 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2014-12-01.
  8. "Leafs deal Matthias to Avalanche for prospect, draft pick". TSN. 2016-02-21. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  9. "2013 WHL West All Stars & Award". Western Hockey League. 2013-05-01. Retrieved 2013-05-01.

External links

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