Devante Smith-Pelly

Last updated
Devante Smith-Pelly
Devante Smith-Pelly 2018-04-29.jpg
Smith-Pelly with the Washington Capitals in 2018
Born (1992-06-14) June 14, 1992 (age 31)
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 223 lb (101 kg; 15 st 13 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Anaheim Ducks
Montreal Canadiens
New Jersey Devils
Washington Capitals
Kunlun Red Star
NHL Draft 42nd overall, 2010
Anaheim Ducks
Playing career 20112022

Devante Malik Smith-Pelly (born June 14, 1992) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. He was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round, 42nd overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. [1] Smith-Pelly played in the style of a power forward and was known for his hitting and forechecking abilities. [2] Smith-Pelly won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Capitals in 2018.

Contents

Playing career

Junior

Smith-Pelly began his major junior career in 2008–09, recording 25 points over 57 games with the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). During the 2009 playoffs, he added five points over 11 games. One of his two goals ended the second-longest game in OHL history, as he scored in triple-overtime to eliminate the Barrie Colts in the conference quarterfinals. [3] The following season, he improved to 62 points over 60 games. In the subsequent summer, he was selected 42nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Smith-Pelly in February 2012. Devante Smith-Pelly Ducks 2012-02-15.JPG
Smith-Pelly in February 2012.

Returning to the OHL for a third season following his draft, Smith-Pelly recorded a junior career-high 36 goals and 66 points over 67 games. He added 21 points in 20 OHL playoff games, as the Majors lost in the Finals to the Owen Sound Attack. Despite losing the OHL title, the Majors qualified for the 2011 Memorial Cup, Canada's national major junior tournament, by way of having been chosen as the host team at the beginning of the season. Advancing to the final, the Majors were defeated by the Saint John Sea Dogs In the Memorial Cup Final, 3–1. Smith-Pelly recorded six points over five games and was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.

Professional

Although eligible for one more OHL season in 2011–12, Smith-Pelly made the Anaheim Ducks' roster out of training camp. He recorded five points in his first 26 games before the Ducks agreed to loan him to the Canadian national junior team in December 2011. [4]

Smith-Pelly with the Devils Devante Smith-Pelly - New Jersey Devils.jpg
Smith-Pelly with the Devils

During his first full season in the NHL with the Ducks in 2014–15, having produced 17 points in 54 games, on February 24, 2015, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Jiří Sekáč. [5]

In the following 2015–16 season, Smith-Pelly got off to a strong start with the Canadiens as they had a franchise-best 9 straight wins to start the year. However, with only 6 goals through 46 games, he was dealt by the Canadiens to the New Jersey Devils, just a little over a year from when he was acquired on February 29, 2016, in exchange for Stefan Matteau. [6] During the offseason, on July 1, 2016, Smith-Pelly signed a two-year, $2.6 million contract extension with the Devils. [7]

After Smith-Pelly regressed in the 2016–17 season, he was placed on waivers by the Devils in order to buy out the remaining year and $1.3 million left on his contract on June 30, 2017. [8] On July 3, 2017, he was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals with a $650,000 salary. [9] [10]

On February 17, 2018, Smith-Pelly was the target of a racist chant by four fans at the United Center during a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. [11] The four fans, who were chanting the word "basketball", were escorted out of the United Center and issued a lifetime ban from the arena by the Blackhawks organization. [11] Both the NHL and Blackhawks condemned the action of the four fans and apologized to Smith-Pelly. [11]

Smith-Pelly scored seven goals in the 2018 playoffs, including the tying goal in the clinching game five of the Stanley Cup, helping the Capitals secure their first NHL title in team history. [12] Smith-Pelly became the second player in NHL history, behind Patrice Bergeron-Cleary to have a hyphenated surname engraved on the Stanley Cup.

During the 2018–19 season, Smith-Pelly continued with the Capitals in a fourth-line role. Through inconsistent play and contributing with 8 points in 54 games, on February 20, 2019, Smith-Pelly was placed on waivers by the Washington Capitals before successfully clearing on 21 February. [13] He was then assigned to affiliate, the Hershey Bears, returning to the AHL for the first time since 2014.

Smith-Pelly returned to the Washington Capitals during the 2019 Stanley Cup first-round series after T. J. Oshie was injured in Game 4 versus the Carolina Hurricanes. [14]

Leaving the Capitals as a free agent, Smith-Pelly, with limited NHL interest, opted to sign abroad for the first time in his career, agreeing to a one-year contract with Chinese-based club, HC Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League. [15] In the 2019–20 season, Smith-Pelly in a checking-line role added 8 goals and 11 points through 36 regular season games.

In the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, Smith-Pelly belatedly returned to the North American professional circuit after accepting a professional tryout contract with the Ontario Reign of the AHL, primary affiliate to the Los Angeles Kings on March 13, 2021. [16] While playing with the Reign, Smith-Pelly played on a line with Quinton Byfield and Akil Thomas, forming the first all-Black line in the history of the team. [17] On December 30, 2022, Smith-Pelly announced his retirement from professional hockey.

International play

Devante Smith-Pelly WJC12 press conference.jpg
Smith-Pelly as a member of Team Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championships
Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2012 Canada
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2009 Canada

Smith-Pelly debuted with Hockey Canada at the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He recorded three assists over six games playing with Team Ontario, helping them to a gold medal win.

During his NHL rookie season, the Anaheim Ducks loaned Smith-Pelly to the Canadian junior team for the 2012 World Junior Championships. One of two players to be loaned from the NHL (Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brett Connolly was the other), [4] he was named an alternate captain for the team. [18] In Canada's first game of the tournament, against Finland, he broke a bone in his left foot blocking a shot. Opting to stay with the team rather than return to Anaheim to begin his rehabilitation, [19] Smith-Pelly watched as Canada went on to win the bronze medal and since he was part of the Canadian roster, he also received a medal.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2008–09 Mississauga St. Michael's Majors OHL 5713122524112354
2009–10 Mississauga St. Michael's MajorsOHL602933623516861420
2010–11 Mississauga St. Michael's MajorsOHL6736306650201562116
2011–12 Anaheim Ducks NHL 49761316
2011–12 Syracuse Crunch AHL 40112
2012–13 Norfolk Admirals AHL6514183265
2012–13 Anaheim DucksNHL70000
2013–14 Norfolk AdmiralsAHL5527164329
2013–14 Anaheim DucksNHL19281021250524
2014–15 Anaheim DucksNHL545121712
2014–15 Montreal Canadiens NHL2012314121232
2015–16 Montreal CanadiensNHL46661222
2015–16 New Jersey Devils NHL1885138
2016–17 New Jersey DevilsNHL5345912
2017–18 Washington Capitals NHL757916382471812
2018–19 Washington CapitalsNHL544481530000
2018–19 Hershey Bears AHL2068142
2019–20 Kunlun Red Star KHL 36831140
2020–21 Ontario Reign AHL140114
2021–22 Laval Rocket AHL24448670004
NHL totals3954457101137511331638

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2009 Canada Ontario U17 Gold medal icon.svg60334
2012 Canada WJC Bronze medal icon.svg10000
Junior totals70334

Awards and honours

AwardYear
OHL
All-Star Game 2010
CHL Top Prospects Game 2010
CHL Memorial Cup All-Star Team 2011 [20]
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2018 [21]

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References

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