Reilly Smith

As a result of his success, the New England Sports Network (NESN) TV network named Smith the 45th annual "7th Player."

The "7th Player" is awarded to the Boston Bruin who most exceeded all expectations that season, as voted by the team's fans.

The following year, Smith finished with 13 goals and 27 assists, plus four goals and an assist in 12 playoff games.

Reilly Smith (born April 1, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Growing up in Toronto, Smith played junior hockey with St. Michael's College School before playing three seasons of NCAA Division I collegiate hockey with the Miami University's RedHawks in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

Smith was born on April 1, 1991, in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada to parents Lester and Deirdre Smith.

Smith was born into an athletic family; his older brother Brendan Smith plays for the New Jersey Devils and his brother Rory competes in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

The three all played minor hockey in the Etobicoke neighbourhood of Mimico with the Faustina Sports Club, then all played for the St. Michael's Buzzers minor juniors.

Growing up, Smith played junior hockey with the Toronto Nationals U16 AAA and St. Michael's College School in Toronto, Ontario.c While with St. Michael's, he participated in the CJHL All-Star Game and served as both captain and assistant captain during his career.

In his final season with the team, Smith was named their Most Valuable Player after recording 75 points.

Prior to entering his freshman season with the Miami University's RedHawks, Smith won a bronze medal at the 2008 World Junior A Challenge and was drafted in the third round, 69th overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Following the draft, Smith began his freshman season with the Redhawks in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) while majoring in sport studies.

Although he admitted to being shocked at the speed of collegiate hockey, Smith recorded eight goals and 20 points in 43 games.

During the season, he was also selected to take part in Canada's National Junior Team selection camp.

Upon returning to the RedHawks for his sophomore season, Smith experienced a breakout year and recorded 54 points in 38 games.

While playing alongside played alongside seniors Carter Camper and Andy Miele, Smith led the nation's underclassmen in goals and points while also ranking seventh overall in the country for points.

As a result of his success during his sophomore year, Smith was named to the All-Florida College Classic Team, voted first team all-CCHA, named to the CCHA all-Tournament Team, College Hockey News Second-Team All-America, and INCH Third-Team All-America.

Smith returned to the RedHawks for his junior year, where he recorded a career-high 30 goals in 39 games.

As a result of his success, Smith was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist, First-Team All-America, and finalist for the RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Year.

During his time in college, Smith was drafted in the third round, 69th overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Upon joining the Stars in 2012, he played one full season with the team before being included in a blockbuster trade between Dallas and the Boston Bruins, which sent him, Loui Eriksson, Joe Morrow and Matt Fraser to Boston in exchange for Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley and Ryan Button.

After a short time in Boston, Smith joined the Florida Panthers for two seasons before landing with the Vegas Golden Knights.

While with the Knights, he won the Stanley Cup in 2023, scoring the Cup-clinching goal in Game 5.

Smith was born into an athletic family; he is the younger brother of current New Jersey Devils defenceman Brendan Smith and professional lacrosse player Rory Smith.

On March 25, 2012, Smith relinquished his final year at Miami to sign a three-year, entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars.

He made his NHL debut on March 28, 2012, against the Edmonton Oilers and skated for five shifts.

Smith played 4:05 minutes of ice time and recorded one shot on goal in the 3–1 loss.

He played two more games with the Stars before they concluded their regular season.

After attending the Stars' 2012 training camp, Smith was reassigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Texas Stars.

During his first 11 games in the AHL, he had recorded three assists.

He was promoted to Dallas for the season once play resumed in January 2013 and scored his first career NHL goal on February 15, 2013, against Cory Schneider of the Vancouver Canucks.

His second goal came a few days later in a 4–3 loss to the Calgary Flames.

As a result of his early success, Smith was promoted to a top six position in February and played left wing on a line with Derek Roy and Loui Eriksson.

After playing in 28 games for Dallas, and recording six points, he was reassigned to the AHL alongside defenseman Joe Morrow.

He was recalled shortly thereafter after recording one goal and one assist during a game against the Houston Aeros.

In July 2013, Smith was included in a blockbuster trade between Dallas and the Boston Bruins, which sent him, Loui Eriksson, Joe Morrow and Matt Fraser to Boston in exchange for Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley and Ryan Button.

During the pre-season, Smith was placed on the Bruins' third line with Chris Kelly and Carl Söderberg.

However, as a result of injuries, Smith was moved up to a line with Patrice Bergeron and Loui Eriksson.

He finished the regular season with 19 goals and 30 assists which included 17 points throughout November.

On July 1, 2015, Smith was traded by the Bruins, along with Marc Savard's contract, to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jimmy Hayes.