:Gemel Smith
{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)}}
{{About|the ice hockey player|the cricketer|Jamal Smith|the association footballer|Jamaal Smith}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Gemel Smith
| image = Gemel Smith (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Smith with the Texas Stars in 2015
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|4|16}}
| birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lb = 194
| position = Forward
| shoots = Left
| league = AHL
| team = Bridgeport Islanders
| prospect_team =
| prospect_league =
| former_teams = Dallas Stars
Boston Bruins
Tampa Bay Lightning
Detroit Red Wings
Dinamo Minsk
Kunlun Red Star
| draft = 104th overall
| draft_team = Dallas Stars
| draft_year = 2012
| career_start = 2014
| career_end =
}}
Gemel Smith (born April 16, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League (AHL). He has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Dallas Stars, who selected him 104th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, as well as the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Playing career
Smith first played midget hockey with the Markham Majors before playing with the North York Rangers of the Greater Toronto Major Midget Hockey League before he was selected 120th overall in the Ontario Hockey League's 2010 OHL Priority Selection by the Owen Sound Attack. In his first major junior season in 2010–11 with the Attack he finished with 16 points in 66 games.
After completing his OHL career with the London Knights, he was signed by the Dallas Stars to a three-year, entry-level contract on May 31, 2014.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-sign-forward-gemel-smith-to-three-year-entry-level-contract/c-721361 | title = Dallas Stars sign forward Gemel Smith to entry-level deal | publisher = Dallas Stars | date = May 31, 2014 | access-date = May 31, 2014}} He made his professional debut in the following 2014–15 season, after he was assigned by the Stars to their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. In 68 games with Texas, Smith contributed with 10 goals and 27 points in 68 games as a rookie.
In the 2016–17 season, with a rash of injuries suffered in Dallas, Smith received his first recall to the NHL on October 22, 2016.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-recall-forward-gemel-smith-from-texas/c-282913376 | title = Stars recall Gemel Smith from Texas | publisher = Dallas Stars | date = October 22, 2016 | access-date = October 22, 2016}} He made his NHL debut with the Stars that night, skating on the fourth-line in a 3–0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.{{cite web| url = http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gametracker/recap/NHL_20161022_CLB@DAL | title = Bobrovsky, Blue Jackets defeat Stars | work = CBS Sports | date = October 22, 2016 | access-date = October 22, 2016}} In his seventh game with the Stars, Smith scored his first two NHL goals in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on November 6, 2016.{{cite web| url = http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/11/06/live-updates-stars-look-avenge-last-nights-loss-blackhawksin-trip-chicago | title = Smith shines as Stars lose in Overtime | publisher = Dallasnews.com | date = November 6, 2016 | access-date = November 6, 2016}}
On July 11, 2017, the Stars re-signed Smith to a one-year, two-way contract worth $650,000.{{cite web| url = https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2017/07/11/stars-sign-gemel-smith-one-year-two-way-contract | title = Stars sign Gemel Smith to one-year, two-way deal | publisher = Sportsday | date = July 11, 2017 | access-date = July 11, 2017}} In his first full season with the club, Smith recorded six goals and 11 points in 46 games, often finding himself as a healthy scratch.
On August 3, 2018, the Stars re-signed Smith to a one-year, $720,000 contract extension.{{cite web |title=Gemel Smith, Dallas Stars agree on one-year contract |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nhl/story/_/id/24278430/gemel-smith-signing-dallas-stars-one-year-720k-deal |website=ESPN |access-date=3 August 2018|date=August 3, 2018 }} During the 2018–19 season, on December 6, Smith was claimed on waivers by the Boston Bruins.{{cite web |title=Bruins Announce Transactions |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-announce-transactions/c-302664400 |website=NHL.com |access-date=December 6, 2018 |date=December 6, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Stepneski |first1=Mark |title='I feel like a hockey player': Hanzal to make season debut vs. Sharks |url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-martin-hanzal-to-make-season-debut-san-jose-sharks/c-302666602 |website=NHL.com |access-date=December 6, 2018 |date=December 6, 2018}} Smith appeared in three games with Boston before he was re-assigned to Boston's AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, upon clearing waivers on December 19, 2018.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-assign-gemel-smith-to-providence/c-303100976 | title = Bruins assign Gemel Smith to Providence | publisher = Boston Bruins | date = December 19, 2018 | access-date = December 19, 2018}} In playing out his contract in Providence, Smith was an offensive presence, contributing 40 points in 47 games.
As an impending restricted free agent, Smith was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Bruins, releasing him as an unrestricted free agent on June 25, 2019.{{Cite web| url = https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/gemel-smith-set-to-hit-free-agency/ | title = Gemel Smith set to hit free agency | work = CBS Sports | date = June 25, 2019 | access-date = June 25, 2019}} He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 8, 2019.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/tampa-bay-lightning-sign-forward-gemel-smith-to-one-year-two-way-contract/c-308200734 | title = Lightning sign forward Gemel Smith to one-year, two-way contract | publisher = Tampa Bay Lightning | date = July 8, 2019 | access-date = July 8, 2019}}
Smith was one of the eight players called up to the Lightning for their training camp prior to the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/tampa-bay-lightning-announce-2020-training-camp-roster-schedule/c-317388742 | title = Lightning announce 2020 training camp roster, schedule | website = nhl.com/lightning | date = July 13, 2020 | access-date = July 13, 2020}}
Following back-to-back championships with the Lightning, Smith began the {{nhly|2021}} season on the long-term injured reserve. After returning to health, Smith was claimed on waivers from the Lightning by the Detroit Red Wings on January 19, 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/red-wings-claim-gemel-smith-from-tampa-bay/c-329952818 |title=Red Wings claim Gemel Smith from Tampa Bay |website=NHL.com |first=Kyle |last=Kujawa |date=January 19, 2022 |access-date=January 19, 2022}} He was assigned by the Red Wings to a conditioning stint with their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, on January 23, 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/gemel-smith-joins-grand-rapids-for-conditioning/c-330058174 | title = Gemel Smith joins Grand Rapids for conditioning | publisher = Detroit Red Wings | date = January 23, 2022 | accessdate = January 23, 2022}}
On February 19, 2022, the Lightning reclaimed Smith from the Red Wings, again on waivers.{{cite web| url = https://twitter.com/tblightning/status/1495115929012916226 | title = We have claimed forward Gemel Smith off waivers from Detroit. | publisher = Tampa Bay Lightning | date = February 19, 2022 | accessdate = February 19, 2022}}
In the following 2022–23 season, Smith remained within the Lightning organization, continuing with the Syracuse Crunch. While placing third in team scoring, collecting 37 points through 35 games, Smith left the Crunch as he was re-assigned on loan by the Lightning to the Vegas Golden Knights' AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, on February 16, 2023.{{cite web| url = https://www.hendersonsilverknights.com/silver-knights-receive-gemel-smith-on-loan-from-tampa-bay-lightning/ | title = Silver Knights receive Gemel Smith on loan from Tampa Bay Lightning | publisher = Henderson Silver Knights | date = February 16, 2023 | accessdate = February 16, 2023}} He played out the season in Henderson, posting 5 goals and 16 points through 19 games.
As a free agent from the Lightning, Smith paused his career in North America and was signed to a one-year contract with Belarusian club, HC Dinamo Minsk of the KHL, on July 20, 2023.{{cite web| url = https://hcdinamo.by/news/sobytiya/dzhemel-smit-pereydet-v-minskoe-dinamo-/ | title = Gemel Smith moves to Dinamo Minsk! | publisher = HC Dinamo Minsk | date = July 20, 2023 | accessdate = July 20, 2023 | language = Russian }} In the 2023–24 season, Smith collected 4 goals through just 15 appearances with Dinamo before he was released from his contract and promptly signed for the remainder of the season with Chinese KHL outfit, Kunlun Red Star, on November 29, 2023.{{cite web| url = https://twitter.com/KRSchina/status/1729857741181657558 | title = Kunlun sign Smith on 1-year contract | publisher = Twitter | author = Kunlun Red Star | date = November 29, 2023 | accessdate = November 29, 2023 }}
Returning to North America following the conclusion of his contract with Kunlun, Smith as a free agent leading into the 2024–25 season opted to return to the Syracuse Crunch organization, in signing a PTO on October 8, 2024.{{citeweb| url = https://syracusecrunch.com/news/2024/10/8/syracuse-crunch-sign-forward-gemel-smith-to-pto.aspx | title = Crunch sign forward Gemel Smith to PTO | publisher = Syracuse Crunch | date = October 8, 2024 | accessdate = October 8, 2024 }} His third stint with the Crunch was short lived as he was released from his PTO after only 7 appearances, registering 4 points, on October 29, 2024.{{citeweb| url = https://syracusecrunch.com/news/2024/10/29/tampa-bay-lightning-assign-forward-gabriel-fortier-to-syracuse-crunch.aspx | publisher = Syracuse Crunch | date = October 29, 2024 | accessdate = October 29, 2024 | title = Tampa Bay Lightning assign forward Gabriel Fortier to Syracuse Crunch }} He continued in the AHL, on December 13, 2024, signing a tryout with the Bridgeport Islanders, the primary affiliate to the New York Islanders.{{citeweb| url = https://www.bridgeportislanders.com/news/detail/islanders-sign-gemel-smith | title = Islanders sign Gemel Smith | publisher = Bridgeport Islanders | date = December 13, 2024 | accessdate = December 13, 2024 }}
Personal life
Smith is of Jamaican descent through both parents.{{Cite web|url=https://theupsetsports.com/for-gemel-smith-mental-strength-goes-a-long-way-when-dealing-with-racism-in-hockey/|title=For Gemel Smith mental strength goes a long way when dealing with racism in hockey|website=theupsetsports.com}} His younger brother, Givani, was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft,{{cite web |author1=Ryan Kennedy |title=DETROIT RED WINGS HAVE A "TANK" IN PROSPECT GIVANI SMITH |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/detroit-red-wings-have-a-tank-in-prospect-givani-smith |website=thehockeynews.com |access-date=January 18, 2019 |date=August 25, 2016}} and currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche.
During the 2018–19 NHL season, Smith was battling depression-like symptoms and had a hard time sleeping. He said he "made himself go into a sunken place". While with the Boston Bruins, Patrice Bergeron suggested he get help.{{cite web |author=Joe Smith |title=Out of the darkness: How Gemel Smith went from 'a sunken place' to cusp of Lightning roster|url=https://theathletic.com/1228454/2019/09/25/out-of-the-darkness-how-gemel-smith-went-from-a-sunken-place-to-cusp-of-lightning-roster/ |website=theathletic.com |access-date=September 25, 2019 |date=September 25, 2019}}
Career statistics
=Regular season and playoffs=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Playoffs | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||||||
| 2010–11
| OHL | 66 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 14
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2011–12 | Owen Sound Attack | OHL | 68 | 21 | 39 | 60 | 51
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| 2012–13
| Owen Sound Attack | OHL | 61 | 23 | 29 | 52 | 54
| 12 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 10 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2013–14 | Owen Sound Attack | OHL | 40 | 26 | 22 | 48 | 37
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013–14
| OHL | 29 | 11 | 16 | 27 | 10
| 9 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 9 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2014–15 | AHL | 68 | 10 | 17 | 27 | 38
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015–16
| Texas Stars | AHL | 65 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 24
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2015–16 | ECHL | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2016–17
| Texas Stars | AHL | 53 | 12 | 21 | 33 | 44
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2016–17 | NHL | 17 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 21
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2017–18
| Dallas Stars | NHL | 46 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 17
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2018–19 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 14 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018–19
| NHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2018–19 | AHL | 47 | 16 | 24 | 40 | 32
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019–20
| NHL | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2019–20 | AHL | 50 | 22 | 18 | 40 | 50
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020–21
| Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2020–21 | Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22
| AHL | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2021–22 | NHL | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22
| Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 13 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2022–23 | Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 35 | 13 | 24 | 37 | 89
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022–23
| AHL | 19 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 56
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2023–24 | KHL | 15 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 11
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023–24
| KHL | 20 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 2
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2024–25 | Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024–25
| AHL | 23 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 48
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 91 !! 12 !! 13 !! 25 !! 58 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! — |
=International=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em" |
| ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year ! Team ! Event ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |
| 2012
| Canada | U18 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | Junior totals ! 7 ! 2 ! 3 ! 5 ! 2 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Ice hockey stats}}
- {{AHL profile|5643}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Gemel}}
Category:Black Canadian ice hockey players
Category:Black Canadian sportsmen
Category:Boston Bruins players
Category:Bridgeport Islanders players
Category:Canadian ice hockey centres
Category:Canadian sportspeople of Jamaican descent
Category:Dallas Stars draft picks
Category:Detroit Red Wings players
Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Category:HC Dinamo Minsk players
Category:Grand Rapids Griffins players
Category:Henderson Silver Knights players
Category:Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) players
Category:HC Kunlun Red Star players
Category:London Knights players
Category:Owen Sound Attack players
Category:Providence Bruins players
Category:Ice hockey people from Toronto
Category:Syracuse Crunch players