Jerred Smithson is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a center. He was born on February 4, 1979, in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. Smithson began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Calgary Hitmen in 1996. He played for the Hitmen for four seasons and was known for his physical play and defensive skills.
In 2000, Smithson was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Kings. He played for the Kings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, for two seasons before making his NHL debut in the 2002-2003 season. Smithson played in 14 games for the Kings that season, scoring one goal and one assist.
After spending parts of three seasons with the Kings, Smithson was traded to the Nashville Predators in 2004. He quickly became a fan favorite in Nashville for his hard work and dedication to the team. Smithson played for the Predators for seven seasons, serving as an alternate captain for two of those seasons. He was known for his strong defensive play and his ability to win faceoffs.
In 2011, Smithson was traded to the Florida Panthers. He played for the Panthers for one season before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2012. Smithson played in 16 games for the Oilers before being traded back to the Predators later that season. He finished his NHL career with the Predators in 2013-2014.
Throughout his NHL career, Smithson was known for his physical play and his ability to win faceoffs. He was a reliable defensive forward who was often used on the penalty kill. Smithson played in a total of 588 NHL games, scoring 39 goals and 67 assists for 106 points. He also played in 23 playoff games, scoring one goal and two assists.
After retiring from hockey, Smithson became a coach. He served as an assistant coach for the WHL's Kelowna Rockets from 2015 to 2018. In 2018, Smithson was named the head coach of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). He coached the Silverbacks for two seasons before stepping down in 2020.
Overall, Jerred Smithson had a successful NHL career as a hard-working defensive forward. He was known for his physical play, his ability to win faceoffs, and his strong defensive skills. After retiring from hockey, Smithson became a coach and has continued to be involved in the sport.
🏒