Reilly Smith

At 33 years old, Reilly Smith has this physical status:

Reilly Liam Sheeran Smith (born April 1, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for and serving as an alternate captain of the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League.

Smith was drafted in the third round, 69th overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and he has also played with the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers in his NHL career.

He is Brendan Smith's younger brother, and he is the current New York Rangers defenceman.

Early life

Smith was born in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, on April 1, 1991, to parents Lester and Deidre Smith. Smith was born into an athletic family; his older brother Brendan Smith plays for the New York Rangers, while his brother Rory plays in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). With the Faustina Sports Club in Etobicoke, the three three children all played minor hockey, then played for the St. Michael's Buzzers minor juniors.

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Playing career

Smith grew up and spent time with the Toronto Nationals U16 AAA and St. Michael's College School in Toronto, Ontario.c While at St. Michael's, he competed in the CJHL All-Star Game and spent time as both captain and assistant captain during his time as a teenager. Smith was named their Most Valuable Player in his last season with the team after posting 75 points. Smith earned a bronze medal at the 2008 World Junior A Challenge and was drafted in the third round, 69th overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Smith began his freshman season with the Redhawks in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) while majoring in sport research. Smith confessed to being amazed at the speed of collegiate hockey, but he had eight goals and 20 points in 43 games. He was also selected to attend Canada's National Junior Team selection camp earlier this season.

Smith spent his sophomore season with the RedHawks, winning 54 points in 38 games. Smith led the nation's underclassmen in goals and points while also placing seventh overall in the country for points while playing alongside seniors Carter Camper and Andy Miele. Smith was selected to the All-Florida College Classic Team, the first team all-CCHA, and INCH Third-Team All-America as a result of his development during his sophomore year.

Smith made the RedHawks his junior season, where he scored a career-high 30 goals in 39 games. Smith was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist, First-Team All-America, and finalist for the RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Year as a result of his success.

Smith resigned from his final year in Miami on March 25, 2012, when he signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Dallas Stars. He made his NHL debut against the Edmonton Oilers on March 28, 2012, and skated for five shifts. In the 3–1 loss, Smith had 4:05 minutes of ice time and one shot on target. He appeared in two more games with the Stars before they ended their regular season.

Smith was reassigned to the Texas Stars, the Stars' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He had three assists in his first 11 games in the AHL. Since being recalled in January 2013, he scored his first career NHL goal against Cory Schneider of the Vancouver Canucks, his first goal on February 15, 2013. In a 4–3 loss to the Calgary Flames, his second goal came just a few days later. Smith was promoted to a top-six position in February and spent on a line with Derek Roy and Loui Eriksson. After playing in 28 games for Dallas and scoring six points, he was promoted to the AHL alongside defenseman Joe Morrow. After scoring one goal and one assist during a game against the Houston Aeros, he was recalled shortly thereafter.

Smith was included in a blockbuster trade between Dallas and the Boston Bruins in July 2013, moving Loui Eriksson, Joe Morrow, and Matt Fraser to Boston in exchange for Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley, and Ryan Button. Smith was drafted on the Bruins' third line with Chris Kelly and Carl Söderberg during the pre-season. Smith was notably bumped up to a line with Patrice Bergeron and Loui Eriksson as a result of injuries. He finished the regular season with 19 goals and 30 assists, which included 17 goals and 17 assists throughout November. Smith was named the 45th annual "7th Player" on the New England Sports Network (NESN) TV network as a result of his popularity. As voted by the team's fans, the Boston Bruin earns the "7th Player" award, which meets all hopes for the season.

Smith finished with 13 goals and 27 assists, as well as an assist in 12 playoff games this year.

Smith was traded by the Bruins along with Marc Savard's contract to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jimmy Hayes on July 1, 2015. Smith led the team in goal scoring for the first time in his rookie season with a record high 50 points in 82 games and finished third on the team in scoring. Smith agreed to a five-year, $25 million contract extension with the Panthers on July 3, 2016. Smith had a "disappointing year" after the contract extension, having scored 15 goals and 22 assists in the 2016–17 season.

Smith was traded from the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft to the Vegas Golden Knights on June 21, 2017, due to salary cap issues. The Golden Knights acquired both him and teammate Jonathan Marchessault, with the Panthers receiving a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Smith had 87 points in 162 games during his time in Florida. Smith made his debut as a winger with William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault in the 2017-18 season. Their line was praised early for being one of the team's best lines, with each of them scoring high by November. Smith had been a fixture on the first line as a result of 19 goals and 24 assists when he first took the field in January. After scoring 20 points in 14 games this month, Smith was named as a NHL Third Star of the Month of February. As the Knights advanced all the way to the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals, Smith will record a career-high 60 points in the regular season. Smith had five goals and 17 assists in the offseason.

Smith continued his offensive skills throughout his career and had a second-best statistical season of his career. Jonathan Marchessault was tying for the team's top assist with 34 points, tying for the second season in a row. Smith stayed with Marchessault and Karlsson in a 4–2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 11, 2018. He appeared in his 500th NHL game, as well as his eight points in his previous three games. Smith scored one goal and five assists in their Stanley Cup playoffs debut against the San Jose Sharks, for the second year in a row.

Smith had scored a career high 27 goals in 71 games played during the 2019-20 season's pausing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith tied for team lead in points after beating the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. Smith had an 11-game goal drought, which was snapped in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars as the playoffs progressed.

Smith was named as an alternate captain alongside Alex Pietrangelo after Mark Stone's naming as team captain. Smith won by 4–1 over the St. Louis Blues on May 9, 2021, while playing in his 628 career game.

Smith signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Golden Knights on July 13, 2022.

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