Austin Smith

History

Austin Smith spent the last two years with the Gunnery school in Connecticut where he earned where he has earned Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year honors.

2007-08: Smith joined the BCHL’s Penticton Vee's where he finished second on the team with 67 points in 60 games.  A team that included 2008 draftees Brett Hextall and Zac Delpe finishing first and third, respectively, in points. Smith’s 11+11=22 led the team in playoff scoring and got him named the playoff MVP as Penticton went on to win the Fred Page Cup.  He notched three points in five Doyle Cup games, as they fell to Camrose.

2008-09: Smith jumped to the NCAA, joining Colgate University(NCAA). He scored 17 goals and added 14 assists in his 37 game Freshman year.

2009-10: In his Sophomore year at Colgate University(NCAA), Smith scored 16 goals and added 25 assists in 36 games, topping his previous career high of 31 points with a 41 point campaign.

2010-11: Austin Smith returned to Colgate for his junior season but he and his team got off to a slow start.  Colgate struggled mightily through most of the season before finally picking it up late and then, in part due to Smith, upsetting high-ranked teams all the way to the ECAC Championship Tournament.  Smith salvaged his season to produce 31 points in 41 games despite battling injuries along the way that required summer surgery.  The Dallas native plays in all situations and has been an integral part of Colgate’s success.

2011-12: Smith signed an entry-level two-year contract with Dallas and made his pro debut with the Stars' AHL affiliate Texas following his senior season at Colgate. He had 3 assists and was minus-six with 8 penalty minutes in 12 games for Texas. Smith combined with Anaheim Ducks prospect Chris Wagner to give Colgate one of the most dynamic scoring tandems in college hockey in his final year. He led the Raiders with 36 goals and had 21 assists in 39 games; finishing plus-24 with 30 penalty minutes. Smith was a finalist for the Hobey Baker award and was named to the NCAA East All-American Team. Colgate finished fourth in ECAC Hockey after a four-game slide late in the season but rebounded to reach the semifinals of the league tournament.

2012-13: Smith split his first pro season between Dallas' AHL and ECHL affiliates Texas and Idaho respectively. He opened the season in the AHL, appearing in one game, but was sent to Idaho and spent most of the NHL lockout with the Steelheads. He returned to Texas for 12 games in January and February before finishing the year with Idaho. In 16 AHL games he scored 2 goals with 1 assist and was +1 with 6 penalty minutes. Smith was the Steelheads' leading scorer with 27 goals and 23 assists in 38 games and was +24 with 15 penalty minutes. Idaho was second in the Mountain Division and reached the Western Conference Finals. Smith scored 7 goals with 5 assists and had an even plus/minus with 12 penalty minutes in 17 playoff games.

 

Talent Analysis

Quick forward with an extra gear that appears from time to time.  Has nice hands but plays a more straightforward style – not too much flash and dash.  Sets up his linemates well with offensive chances.  Can play in any situation well.  Still a bit undersized which will cause some difficulty at the pro level.  Above average hockey smarts and plays a pretty good positional game.  Likes to be a major contributor and difference maker on both sides of the puck.  Generally plays the game with a good energy level. Potential: Utility player that can play in a lot of situations/roles, like Maxime Talbot.

 

Future