Smith produced 23 of his 35 points his junior season
while on RIT was on the power play.
Key Statistics: RIT coach
Wayne Wilson says Smith may be the most unheralded goal
scorer in Atlantic Hockey. Last season Smith ranked
sixth in the league in goals (17) and 12th in points
(35), impressive for a fourth-line winger. Smith made
his mark on the power play, posting 11 goals and 12
assists – his man-up tallies were tops in the
league and ranked fifth nationally. He was one of 71
players in the nation and 15 in Atlantic Hockey to average
at least one point per game. In three seasons Smith
has 22 power-play tallies.
What He Does: Smith
always puts himself in good positions to shoot and he’s
not afraid to pull the trigger anytime and from anywhere.
He’s got a heavy shot which always seems to find
the net. Wilson said Smith has developed from a one-dimensional
player into an overall competitor. The biggest difference
in his game is his willingness to make plays happen
rather than waiting for teammates to set him up.
The Bigger Picture: Wilson
needs to reassemble his forward units but one thing
is for sure: Smith will no longer be hidden on RIT’s
fourth line. Smith has already earned his undergraduate
degree in three years, and his return is welcomed by
a Tigers team which lost some grit and its leading point
scorer in Washington Capitals’ signee Steve Pinizzotto.
RIT head coach Wayne Wilson on
Smith: "We know we have someone we can
use late in the game, someone who has proven himself.
Now we’re looking to put him into bigger roles."
