Smith commits to Tigers for 2022-23

Dalhousie Tigers men’s hockey head coach Chris Donnelly is pleased to announce the commitment of Zak Smith for the 2022-23 season.

A 6’4 forward, Smith suited up for the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League during the 2021-22 season. Their scoring leader, he netted 20 goals and 28 assists in 50 regular season games and added 17 points in their playoff run.

Prior to his time with Flin Flon, the Austin, Manitoba native played 163 games in four seasons with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and was named assistant captain for the 2020-21 season. He scored 26 goals during his time with the Rebels and was named their most underrated player in the 2019-20 season.

Although not drafted in 2019, Smith was invited to the Vegas Golden Knights Development Camp that summer.

“I am very excited to be moving to Halifax to be furthering my studies and my hockey career with the Dalhousie Tigers,” says Smith.

A multi-year honour roll student at MacGregor Collegiate Institute, Smith will be working towards a Bachelor of Arts at Dalhousie.  

“Anytime you can add a player who has not only played for but wore a letter for a coach like Brent Sutter, you can’t help but be excited for what it means for our program,” says Donnelly. “Zak brings a strong work ethic and a fierce competitiveness to the rink each day, as well as an offensive touch around the net. In conversation with his current coach Mike Reagan, we learned that our program is adding a throw back type player who expects nothing and will earn everything. We look forward to Zak’s versatility as he joins our forward group, and we see him playing in every situation during games.”

The Tigers return to the Halifax Forum on Wednesday, October 5 when they host Acadia in their regular season home opener.