| Smith makes strong contribution on Sens' farm team |
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| Local Content - Local Sports |
| Written by publisher |
| Thursday, 31 December 2009 17:42 |
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By Allison Werbowetsky Like so many prairie boys, 21-year-old Zack Smith of Maple Creek is currently chasing his NHL dream. Playing for the Ottawa Senators’ farm team, the Binghamton Senators at Binghamton, New York, Zack has made quite an impression on his hockey career already. He was selected as a third round draft pick, 79th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Senators. The 6’2”, 210-lb forward began his stint in the hockey world with the Swift Current Broncos in 2004. In 2007 to 2008, his fourth and final season with the Broncos, Smith managed to sneak in 22 goals and 47 assists in 72 games earning him a career high of 69 points. Smith scored 24 goals in 79 games in Binghamton last year, with 24 assists and 48 points overall. In 23 games so far this season he has scored four goals with five assists for nine points. He has also played one game on NHL ice. “He’s doing very well so far this year,” said Zack’s father, Dean Smith. “He’s just not scoring a pile of goals like he did last year.” However, Dean and his wife Colleen have always been proud of their son and everything he has accomplished so far. “We are really proud of him. He has worked hard to get where he is and we’re just happy that it’s paying off. He lives to play hockey,” Dean said. Zack strapped on his first pair of skates when he was just three years old and his parents had him on the ice playing hockey one year later. Dean chalks up Zack’s determination to his intrinsic passion for the game as well as his obvious natural ability. “He skated whenever he got a chance to,” he said. Zack was excited when he was drafted by the Senators, because “most players would like to play for a team in Canada.” However, playing for Ottawa’s farm team is only the beginning for Zack, and although many players stay playing in the AHL, “he wouldn’t be satisfied if he didn’t play pro,” Dean said. Aside from a short visit during Christmas break, Dean and Colleen will likely not see him again until next summer before he heads back to Ottawa for more training in June and August. |
