5 things to get to know Cole Smith

There wasn’t much fanfare when the Chicago Blackhawks signed Cole Smith on July 1. While he brings an element the team is missing, the move didn’t excite many fans. Fourth-line wingers rarely move the needle on the first day of free agency, but Smith will gladly do the dirty work needed to win hockey games.

Smith told the media last week that part of the reason he left the Vegas Golden Knights for Chicago was that the Blackhawks are ready to win. The 30-year-old forward said the team made him feel wanted and that they were excited to have him on the roster. Getting a three-year deal was attractive as well, as it provided stability for the first time in his professional career.

Since Smith was a bit of an under-the-radar move, here are five things to help you get to know him better.

The Smith Family Has Got Game

Smith was born in Brainerd, MN, on Oct. 28, 1995. His family produced many great athletes. Both his parents were college athletes, with his dad playing football and his mother running track. His youngest sister currently plays hockey at Bemidji State University, while his other sister played soccer there.

Growing up, Smith played and excelled in various sports. He played in the U10 Little League World Series before playing hockey, football, and track and field at Brainerd High School. Much like Blackhawks prospect Mason West, he had a great run on the gridiron. He helped Brainerd to a 12-1 record in 2013, playing defensive back and wide receiver. He was named as the team’s defensive player of the year, while making the All-Conference and All-State teams. He was a three-year starter on the varsity hockey team, scoring 110 points.

Another UND Alum

After being cut from the USHL’s Sioux Stampede, Smith headed to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. His two junior seasons garnered the attention of college scouts, and he eventually committed to the University of North Dakota. He scored his first goal in his NCAA debut against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Oct. 15, 2016.

Smith played four seasons at North Dakota. In his junior season, he won the team’s Cliff 'Fido' Purpur Award for exemplifying hard work and determination. He was named assistant captain for his senior season. Although the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he finished with a career-high 11 goals and 18 points. He was a finalist for the 2020 NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year.

A Shot at the NHL

Smith never heard his name called at the NHL Entry Draft. Instead, he officially ended his college career by signing a one-year contract with the Nashville Predators in March 2020. He started his first pro season in the ECHL but was eventually added to the Predators’ taxi squad. He made his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jan. 14, 2021. This was the only game he played during the 2020-21 season, as he was reassigned to the Chicago Wolves a week later. The Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators' AHL affiliate, suspended operations during the COVID season, so the Wolves split affiliation with them and the Carolina Hurricanes.

NHL Firsts

Smith became an NHL regular during the 2022-23 season, playing 69 games for the Predators. He picked up his first NHL point on Oct. 7, 2022, picking up the primary assist on Eeli Tolvanen’s goal against the San Jose Sharks. Smith’s first two-point game came on Oct. 27, 2022, with two helpers against the St. Louis Blues. His first nine points all came as assists, with seven of them primary.

His first NHL goal came against a future Hall of Famer, as he beat Jonathan Quick on Jan. 21, 2023. Another future Hall of Famer, Roman Josi, had the primary assist on the play.

Smith’s first two-goal game came on Oct. 19, 2023, against Igor Shesterkin and the New York Rangers. He scored his first career shorthanded goal on Dec. 21, 2023, against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Smith didn’t score any playoff points until this past spring with the Golden Knights. He got his first assist in the opening game of their run to the Stanley Cup Final against the Utah Mammoth. He scored his first playoff goal in Game 4. He was a big factor in that series, with two goals and four points.

Biggest Goal of His Career

Not many people gave the Golden Knights much of a chance in the Western Conference Finals against the Colorado Avalanche. They responded by sweeping the Presidents’ Trophy winners, outscoring them 14-7. Smith scored the series-clinching goal in Game 4, giving Vegas a 2-0 lead late in the third period. Gabriel Landeskog scored with two minutes to play to make Smith’s tally the game-winner.

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