Givani Smith (born February 27, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 46th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Givani Smith
Born (1998-02-27) February 27, 1998 (age 26)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight214 lb (97 kg; 15 st 4 lb)
PositionRight wing
ShootsLeft
NHL team
Former teams
San Jose Sharks
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
NHL draft46th overall, 2016
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career2018–present

Playing career

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Prior to turning professional, Smith played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League. In 236 games between the Barrie Colts, Guelph Storm and Kitchener Rangers, he recorded 73 goals, 62 assists, and 411 penalty minutes. He led the league in penalty minutes in 2015–16 and 2016–17. During the 2018–19 season in his rookie year, he recorded six goals and seven assists in 64 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL).

On October 25, 2019, Smith was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings. Prior to being recalled he recorded two goals and two assists in four games for the Griffins.[1] He made his NHL debut for the Red Wings later that night in a game against the Buffalo Sabres where he recorded two shots on goal and one hit in 11:01 time on ice.[2] Smith was assigned to the Griffins on October 30. He appeared in three games for the Red Wings, where he recorded four shots on goal and three hits in 10:32 average time on ice per game.[3] On December 31, 2019, Smith was again recalled by the Red Wings. Prior to being recalled he recorded four goals and nine assists in 22 games with the Griffins.[4] On January 14, 2020, Smith scored his first career NHL goal against Thomas Greiss of the New York Islanders.[5] On February 16, 2021, Smith was reassigned to the Griffins. Prior to being reassigned he recorded one goal and three assists, 11 penalty minutes, 10 shots on goal and 15 hits in 9:55 average time on ice in eight games for the Red Wings.[6]

On December 19, 2022, the Red Wings traded Smith to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Michael Del Zotto. Prior to being traded, he recorded two goals and three assists in 19 games for the Griffins during the 2022–23 season. He also appeared in two games for the Red Wings.[7]

On July 1, 2023, Smith left the Panthers as a free agent and was signed by the San Jose Sharks to a two-year, $1.6 million contract, beginning in the 2023–24 season.[8] He scored his first goal for the Sharks on November 16 against the St. Louis Blues, and in the process became the 300th Shark to score a goal for the franchise.[9]

Personal life

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Smith is of Jamaican descent through both of his parents.[10] He is the younger brother of NHL player Gemel Smith.[11]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2013–14Mississauga SenatorsGTMMHL2698177174484
2014–15Barrie ColtsOHL3104420
2014–15Guelph StormOHL30781556923510
2015–16Guelph StormOHL65231942146
2016–17Guelph StormOHL64261844139
2016–17Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL30002
2017–18Guelph StormOHL19831114
2017–18Kitchener RangersOHL279101936181171822
2018–19Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL6467138640229
2019–20Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL379101975
2019–20Detroit Red WingsNHL212139
2020–21Detroit Red WingsNHL1613421
2020–21Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL25961554
2021–22Detroit Red WingsNHL46437108
2022–23Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL1923545
2022–23Detroit Red WingsNHL20000
2022–23Florida PanthersNHL341347210002
2022–23Charlotte CheckersAHL30004
2023–24San Jose SharksNHL3613440
NHL totals1559132225010002

International

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YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2014Canada RedU176th500016
Junior totals500016

References

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  1. ^ "Red Wings Recall Givani Smith". griffinshockey.com. October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  2. ^ Kulfan, Ted (October 25, 2019). "Red Wings' Givani Smith excited about making his NHL debut Friday at LCA". Detroitnews.com. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  3. ^ Kujawa, Kyle (October 30, 2019). "Red Wings assign Smith to Griffins". NHL.com. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  4. ^ Kujawa, Kyle (December 31, 2019). "Detroit recalls Smith from Grand Rapids". NHL.com. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  5. ^ Wakiji, Dana (January 14, 2020). "Smith gets first NHL goal in loss to Islanders". NHL.com. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  6. ^ Kujawa, Kyle (February 16, 2021). "Givani Smith reassigned to Griffins". NHL.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  7. ^ "Florida Panthers Acquire Forward Givani Smith from Detroit Red Wings". NHL.com. December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  8. ^ "Sharks Sign Forward Givani Smith". NHL.com. San Jose Sharks. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  9. ^ Goldman, Chelena (November 16, 2023). "Kahkonen makes 44 saves, Sharks cruise past Blues to end 3-game skid".
  10. ^ "For Gemel Smith mental strength goes a long way when dealing with racism in hockey". theupsetsports.com.
  11. ^ Kennedy, Ryan (August 25, 2016). "Detroit Red Wings Have a "Tank" in Prospect Givani Smith". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
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