Brendan Smith (ice hockey)

Brendan Smith (born February 8, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Smith was drafted 27th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and was previously a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

Prior to the 2007 Draft, Smith was a member of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League's St. Michael's Buzzers. In 2007, he finished his second season with St. Michael's leading all defencemen in points with 36. Smith was selected to participate in the CJAHL All-Star Game in 2006. Smith played for Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge 2006, helping his team win silver. Smith played three seasons for the University of Wisconsin–Madison before he signed a three-year entry level contract with the Detroit Red Wings, on May 27, 2010. Smith made his NHL debut on November 17, 2011 against the San Jose Sharks. Smith was called up on February 27, 2012 to replace Mike Commodore, who had been traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on the same day. He scored his first NHL goal against Josh Harding of the Minnesota Wild at the Joe Louis Arena on March 2, 2012.

Smith appeared in 34 games for Detroit during the lock-out shortened 2012–13 NHL season. He would score his first career Stanley Cup playoff goal on May 6, 2013 during game four of Detroit's Western Conference Quarter-Finals Series against the Anaheim Ducks.

On July 16, 2013, the Detroit Red Wings re-signed Smith to a two-year, $2.525 million contract. On June 30, 2015, the Red Wings re-signed Smith to a two-year, $5.5 million contract.

During the final year of his contract and approaching free agency in the 2016–17 season, Smith was traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft on February 28, 2017.

Brendan grew up in the Mimico neighbourhood of Etobicoke, Ontario and has two brothers, Rory and Reilly. The three all played minor hockey in Mimico with the Faustina Sports Club, then all played for the St. Michael's Buzzers minor juniors. He faced his brother Reilly in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs when his Red Wings faced Reilly's Bruins. If not in the NHL, Brendan would see himself playing professional lacrosse or becoming a physical education teacher.

Smith playing with the Grand Rapids Griffins

Regular season and playoffs

International