Dalton Smith Bio
Dalton Smith (born June 30, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). A hard-nosed forward with extensive AHL experience, Smith was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 188 cm tall and weighing 92 kg, he has built a career through perseverance, route changes, and steady contributions at the minor professional level.
Early Life and Background
Dalton Smith was born on June 30, 1992, in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a hockey-tradition region of southern Ontario, he was exposed to the sport at an early age and developed his game through local youth programs. His brother Blake also went on to play professional ice hockey, reinforcing the family’s connection to the sport.
Smith progressed through minor hockey and was eventually selected to play in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the premier development leagues for Canadian hockey talent. His physical style of play and willingness to compete became trademarks as he matured as a junior player.
Path to Professional Hockey
Smith played four seasons, from 2008 to 2012, of major junior hockey with the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Over 196 games, he scored 50 goals and added 55 assists for 105 points while accumulating 328 penalty minutes, establishing himself as an aggressive, energetic forward.
His performance with the 67’s caught the attention of NHL scouts, and the Columbus Blue Jackets selected him 34th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. On August 8, 2011, the Blue Jackets signed Smith to a three-year entry-level contract, beginning his professional career.
Dalton Smith Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Smith began his professional career within the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, splitting time in the minor leagues as he developed. On March 5, 2014, at the 2013–14 trade deadline, the Blue Jackets traded Smith and Jonathan Marchessault to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Dana Tyrell and Matt Taormina.
Syracuse Crunch and AHL Transition (2014–2015)
Smith spent the 2014–15 season with the Syracuse Crunch, the Lightning’s AHL affiliate. When his contract was not renewed, he accepted a try-out deal with the Providence Bruins of the AHL on October 3, 2015, marking the start of a difficult period.
ECHL and the Long Road Back (2016–2019)
Failing to catch on in Providence, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and played 11 games there. He later attended the training camp of the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL and was eventually signed to a one-year deal, then moved down one tier to their ECHL affiliate, the Florida Everblades, on October 9, 2016. With the Everblades, he recorded a professional high 23 points in 60 games. As a free agent the following summer, Smith attended the Rochester Americans’ 2017 training camp on September 25, 2017.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2019–2021)
During the 2019–20 season, his eighth professional year, Smith signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Americans’ parent NHL club, the Buffalo Sabres, on December 30, 2019. He was recalled to make his NHL debut with the Sabres against the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 31, 2019, registering 2 penalty minutes in 1:26 of ice time in a 6–4 defeat. He was placed on waivers to return to Rochester on January 2, 2020.
Colorado Eagles Era (2021–2024)
After not being extended by the Sabres, Smith remained in the AHL with the Americans on a one-year deal on October 12, 2020. On July 29, 2021, he left Rochester after four seasons and signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL. During the 2021–22 season, he enjoyed his most productive AHL campaign since 2015, collecting 5 goals and 11 points in 52 regular season games. On June 28, 2022, Smith agreed to a two-year contract extension to remain with the Eagles, spending three seasons in the organization before becoming a free agent again.
Hershey Bears Era (2024–Present)
Following three seasons with the Colorado Eagles, Smith was belatedly signed to a one-year contract with the reigning AHL champions, the Hershey Bears, on October 15, 2024. He joined the Bears organization in pursuit of an AHL championship.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smith is recognized for his physical, grinding style of play, energy line contributions, and willingness to drop the gloves when needed for his team. His penalty-minute totals reflect a forward who prioritizes physical presence over offensive flash.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s most notable milestone came on December 31, 2019, when he made his long-awaited NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres after nearly a decade of professional hockey. His selection 34th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft remains another key career marker.
Dalton Smith Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Dalton Smith comes from a family with strong hockey ties. His younger brother, Blake Smith, also plays professional ice hockey, continuing the family’s presence in the sport.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Oshawa, Ontario, Dalton Smith has spent much of his adult life moving between minor professional cities across North America, remaining committed to his hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season with the Hershey Bears, Smith joined a reigning Calder Cup champion organization known for deep forward groups and championship expectations. His veteran presence and physical style are expected to complement a Bears roster built to compete for another AHL title.
Smith’s role with Hershey centers on energy, penalty killing, and leadership in the locker room, rather than top-line offensive production. His familiarity with the AHL, built across stops in Syracuse, Providence, Lehigh Valley, Charlotte, Rochester, and Colorado, allows him to adapt quickly within the Bears’ system.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Smith remains focused on contributing to another deep playoff push, hoping to add a Calder Cup to a career defined by persistence and hard work.