Dalton Smith Bio
Dalton Smith (born June 30, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a left wing and currently plays with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. Smith was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and began his professional playing career in 2012.
Early Life and Background
Dalton Smith was born in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, and developed through the Ontario junior hockey system. He progressed to major junior hockey where he spent four seasons with the Ottawa 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League, establishing himself as a physical forward with scoring and penalty minute totals that reflected a heavy-engagement style of play.
Standing 6 ft 2 in and listed at 203 lb, Smith shoots left and brought size to his junior and early professional roles. His physical profile, combined with his Ontario Hockey League experience, positioned him for selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and subsequent entry into professional hockey in 2012.
Path to Hockey
Smith’s pathway followed the Canadian major junior ladder, moving from youth hockey to the Ontario Hockey League with the Ottawa 67’s. His play in the OHL attracted NHL attention and led to his selection by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2010 draft, a key milestone that launched his professional trajectory.
Following his draft selection, Smith signed an entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on August 8, 2011. That contract and his junior performance opened opportunities across the American Hockey League and affiliated professional clubs as he transitioned to the pro ranks beginning in the 2012 season.
Dalton Smith Career
Early Career (2008–2012)
Smith played four seasons (2008–2012) of major junior hockey with the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League. Over 196 games in the OHL he scored 50 goals and added 55 assists for 105 points while compiling 328 penalty minutes, reflecting both offensive contributions and an aggressive, physical approach to the game.
While still in junior, Smith was signed to a three-year entry-level contract by the Columbus Blue Jackets in August 2011, paving the way for his move into professional hockey at the end of his junior tenure in 2012.
AHL and Professional Breakthrough (2012–2019)
Smith began his professional career in the AHL and ECHL systems aligned with NHL organizations. In a notable transaction on March 5, 2014, the Columbus Blue Jackets traded Smith and Jonathan Marchessault to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Dana Tyrell and Matt Taormina. Smith spent the 2014–15 season with the Syracuse Crunch, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s AHL affiliate.
After his contract was not renewed, Smith pursued AHL opportunities with a tryout contract at the Providence Bruins in October 2015 and later signed a one-year contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he appeared in 11 games. He attended Charlotte Checkers training camp and signed with Charlotte near the start of 2016–17, then moved to the ECHL with the Florida Everblades on October 9, 2016.
Rochester and NHL Debut (2017–2020)
As a free agent Smith attended Rochester Americans training camp on September 25, 2017, and later continued his tenure in the organization across multiple seasons. During his eighth professional year, Smith signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres on December 30, 2019.
Smith was recalled and made his National Hockey League debut with the Buffalo Sabres on December 31, 2019, against the Tampa Bay Lightning, registering two penalty minutes in 1:26 of ice time. He was placed on waivers to return to Rochester on January 2, 2020, and later signed to remain with the Americans on a one-year AHL deal on October 12, 2020.
Colorado Eagles Era (2021–2024)
On July 29, 2021, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, adding veteran depth to the Eagles’ forward group. During the 2021–22 season he produced five goals and 11 points in 52 regular season games, his most productive AHL season since 2015, and on June 28, 2022, he agreed to a two-year contract extension to remain with the Eagles.
Smith spent three seasons within the Eagles organization through the 2023–24 period, contributing steady veteran minutes and physical play on the wing while serving in a depth role across the club’s forward corps.
Hershey Bears Era (2024–Present)
Following his tenure with the Colorado Eagles, Smith signed a one-year contract with the reigning American Hockey League champions, the Hershey Bears, on October 15, 2024. He joined the Bears as an experienced AHL left wing expected to provide a veteran presence and physical edge to the lineup.
Entering the Hershey Bears roster, Smith brought the combination of size, left-handed shot, and several years of AHL and occasional NHL experience to a team seeking depth and championship-caliber depth players.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dalton Smith’s game is defined by physical engagement, forechecking pressure and net-front presence, supported by his 6 ft 2 in frame and 203 lb playing weight. His junior totals included significant penalty minutes, and his role in professional seasons has emphasized physicality, checking, and energy minutes while contributing secondary scoring when opportunities arise.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Smith’s career include his 34th overall selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, signing his entry-level NHL contract in August 2011, the March 2014 trade that moved him in a multi-player deal to the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, and his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres on December 31, 2019. His signing with the Hershey Bears on October 15, 2024 marks the latest chapter in his professional career.
Dalton Smith Career Wins
Across major junior and professional levels, Dalton Smith’s verified offensive totals and season highs reflect his dual role as a physical forward and occasional scorer. In junior with the Ottawa 67’s he accumulated 50 goals and 55 assists for 105 points in 196 games. At the professional level, Smith posted a professional-high 23 points in 60 games with the Florida Everblades in the 2016–17 season and recorded five goals and 11 points in 52 games for the Colorado Eagles in 2021–22.
OHL Highlights
Smith’s time with the Ottawa 67’s from 2008 to 2012 produced his most substantial single-team scoring totals, combining physical play with secondary scoring contributions. His OHL totals of 50 goals, 55 assists and 328 penalty minutes over 196 games captured both his offensive output and willingness to play a physical, engaged style.
AHL and Other Professional Highlights
In the AHL and ECHL Smith has been a steady pro who moved between affiliates and organizations, producing a notable 23-point season in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades and returning to AHL roles with Syracuse, Providence (tryout), Lehigh Valley, Rochester and Colorado. His NHL recall and debut with the Buffalo Sabres in December 2019 stands as a key professional highlight.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Smith’s other verified professional performances include contributions across multiple AHL clubs and a proven ability to provide depth scoring and physical minutes at the AHL level. His professional history shows adaptability across organizations and sustained tenure in North American pro leagues since 2012.
Dalton Smith Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public records note that Dalton Smith’s younger brother Blake Smith also plays professional ice hockey. Other family details are not publicly documented in the supplied material.
Personal Life
Details on Smith’s personal life beyond his brother’s involvement in professional hockey are not provided in the verified inputs. There is no public, verified information in the provided sources about marital status, children, or parents.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Smith is on the roster of the Hershey Bears following his October 15, 2024 signing. He joins the club as a veteran left wing with extensive AHL experience and a brief NHL appearance, expected to contribute physical play, depth minutes and veteran leadership to the Hershey lineup.
The 2025 season will represent Smith’s latest professional campaign after more than a decade in North American pro hockey, continuing his career that began professionally in 2012 and has included multiple AHL organizations, an ECHL scoring season, and an NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres.