Avery Smith was born in Texas, he played on a few different teams in the US, and now he's found his way to Dauphin and is suiting up for the 51st Dauphin Kings.
One of a few Americans on this year's roster, Avery is perhaps one of the most intriguing if you bundle up his skill with his physical play.
"I'm loving the city a lot and it's a great community," said Smith. "There's not a whole lot going on, but I think that allows me to focus on hockey more."
In 12 games with the team, Avery has managed seven points (4 G). With his seven points, Avery is seventh in team scoring.
"I think I've been able to play in any role and I think I've shown that pretty well," said Smith. "I can bring a skilled game and I can bring a hard-hitting game. Any game coach wants me to play, I'm confident that I can give it to him. I've also been able to tap into my skill set a little more than I have in the past, so I'm liking that."
Avery didn't take long to show the coaches what he can do. On top of some nice goals in training camp, he also dropped the gloves with Leeam Tivers.
That was the moment when we found out exactly how much Avery is capable of.
"I'm always open to go especially when it's a big guy because I can show what I can do," said Smith. "I'm obviously not out there looking for that sort of thing, but if it needs to happen, I'm definitely open to it. It's the type of player I am."
Avery and the Kings travel to Swan River tonight to take on the Stampeders. Avery will not play as he recovers from a lower-body injury.
"It's not too bad, I just blocked a shot with my lower leg," added Smith. "It'll only be a couple of days and I should be good to go this weekend."
Now, it's time to get to know Avery a little more.
Favourite memory this season? Scoring my first MJHL goal in Selkirk when my parents were there. It was electric. It was a pretty big moment for myself.
Was it hard moving away from home? No, not really. A lot of my friends are older so a lot of them have moved on as well. I'm always talking to them and my family, but I'm chasing my career here so I'm committed to doing this.
Any hobbies outside of hockey? I love going to the gym whenever I can especially in the off-season. In the summer, my brother and I have a landscaping company and we're really busy with that. Those are two things I definitely enjoy doing outside of hockey.
Favourite memory of your hockey career? It's hard to say. I've played with so many great guys so I don't think I can narrow it down to one thing. It's honestly probably just being at the rink with the guys and playing the game I love. I cherish everything that happens.
So we know Avery is not in the lineup tonight. But as he said, he hopes to be this weekend and it's always very exciting watching Smith play with his abilities to do just about anything out on the ice.
Learn even more about Avery tonight during the first intermission of the Dauphin Kings game right here on 730CKDM. Don't forget, the Parkland Source for Sports pregame show goes at 7:15.
Photo Credit - Dauphin Kings / Pederson Photographic.
