USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Published on February 24, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa - Former Waterloo Black Hawks captain Craig Smith was traded to the Washington Capitals on Thursday, moving between National Hockey League clubs for just the second time in his 12-year pro career.

The deal shifted Smith from the Boston Bruins during the final months of his current three-year contract. Boston received defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway. The swap also included several draft picks.

During three seasons playing in Waterloo, Smith helped the Black Hawks to the Clark Cup Final in both 2007 and 2008, as well as the Anderson Cup regular season championship in 2006/07. His regular season USHL career from 2006 and 2009 included 157 games and 117 points (49 goals, 68 assists). During the Hawks' junior era (beginning in 1979), his assist total still ranks 12th in the organizational record book. As the Hawks' captain in 2008/09, he tied for second in overall USHL scoring with 76 points (28 goals, 48 assists), and his +32 plus/minus differential placed fourth in the league. Adding in another 18 Clark Cup postseason games, Smith contributed 10 points (three goals, seven assists).

Immediately after his final campaign with the Hawks, Smith was selected during the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators. The Madison, Wisconsin, native spent two college seasons skating for his hometown Wisconsin Badgers before joining Nashville in 2011. He remained with the Predators through 2020 - including Nashville's 2017 run to the Stanley Cup Final - and then signed a free agent contract with the Bruins.

At the NHL level, Joe Pavelski and Jason Blake are the only Black Hawks alumni who currently outdistance Smith in several prominent statistical categories. Earlier this winter, he made his 800th regular season appearance and recorded his 400th point. Smith is just five goals shy of 200 as an NHLer.

In addition, Smith has represented the United States during the IIHF Men's World Championships four times, appearing in 28 games and earning a bronze medal in 2013.

Five other former Black Hawks have gone on to play for the Capitals; Zach Sanford was the most recent when he skated for Washington in 2016/17. Smith's initial Capitals game will make Washington the first NHL club with six Waterloo alumni who have appeared in their lineup. The Caps next game is Saturday afternoon at home against the New York Rangers.

Smith is among a Black Hawks-record 17 alumni who have played in at least one NHL game this season.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2023


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