Zack Smith

Playing career

Born in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Smith was drafted in the third round, 79th overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He was rated 108th among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.

After playing four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Swift Current Broncos, Smith was offered an amateur tryout contract with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL). He appeared in six playoff games with the Moose during the 2008 AHL playoffs, recording one assist.

In 2008–09, Smith signed an entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators and attended the team's training camp. He played with the team until September 21, when he was demoted to the Binghamton Senators of the AHL. He was the final cut made by the Senators in the pre-season. He made his NHL debut as an emergency call-up for a November 29, 2008 game against the New York Islanders, registering no points. On January 16, 2010, Smith scored his first NHL goal against Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens. Smith would play in all six of Ottawa's 2010 playoff games.

On May 20, 2011, the Ottawa Senators signed Smith to a two-year, one-way contract. Smith spent the 2011-12 season with Ottawa, registering 14 goals and 26 points in 81 games, while also appearing in all seven of Ottawa's playoff games, achieving one assist before being eliminated by the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal. On 5 September 2012 it was announced Smith signed a four-year contract with the Senators worth an average annual value of $1,887,500.

Smith would appear in all 48 games of the shortened 2012-13 season, achieving 4 goals and 11 assists, and would score a goal and an assist in 10 games during the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs before being eliminated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Semifinal. Smith appeared in all 82 games of the 2013-14 season, achieving 13 goals and 9 assists, though the Senators failed to qualify for the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Smith missed most of the 2014–15 season due to dislocating a wrist after a collision with Brad Marchand in December. He would return to the ice later in the season and was moved across the lines by then head coach Paul MacLean to try to improve Smith's performance, including switching Smith from a winger to a centre. He would end the season with two goals and one assist across 37 games. He would appear in three games during the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal against the Montreal Canadiens, which the Senators ultimately lose in six games.

Smith's performance drastically improved during the 2015–16 season, where he appeared in 81 games and achieved career highs in goals (25) and points (36). Early in the season, Smith anticipated having a productive season due to improving his skating during his off time from his wrist injury that occurred in the previous season. Smith also believed his improved performance was due to playing on the top line with Mark Stone and Jean-Gabriel Pageau and by head coach Dave Cameron's decision to move Smith from the fourth line centre to the first line left winger. Smith was also nominated for the 2015–16 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his "perseverance and dedication to hockey."

Personal life

Smith is the nephew of former NHL player Barry Dean. He is the youngest sibling with 3 sisters.