Jason Smith is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 15 years. He was known for his physical play and leadership skills on the ice.
Smith began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Regina Pats in 1990. He quickly established himself as a tough defenseman and was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.
Smith made his NHL debut with the Devils in the 1993-94 season and played with the team for three seasons before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1996. He played with the Maple Leafs for four seasons and was named team captain in 2000.
In 2002, Smith was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, where he played for four seasons and was named team captain in 2006. He helped lead the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006, where they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games.
After his time with the Oilers, Smith played for the Philadelphia Flyers for two seasons before being traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2008. He played one season with the Senators before retiring from professional hockey in 2009.
Throughout his career, Smith was known for his physical play and willingness to stand up for his teammates. He was also a respected leader on and off the ice, serving as team captain for three different NHL teams.
In addition to his NHL career, Smith also represented Canada in international competition. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 1994 World Junior Championships and played for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
Since retiring from hockey, Smith has remained involved in the sport as a coach and mentor. He has worked with young players in various capacities, including serving as an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators and as a mentor with the NHL's Player Development Program.
Overall, Jason Smith had a successful career as a professional hockey player, known for his physical play, leadership skills, and dedication to the sport.
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