Smith was recruited to Lake Superior State in 1989 and played his freshman season under Frank Anzalone. Smith was an unheralded but effective player his first season, helping the Lakers tie the program record with 33 wins. The following season, with Anzalone leaving to coach in the professional ranks, Smith saw his ice time and production blossom under former assistant Jeff Jackson. Smith more than doubled his career totals and got LSSU to set a new program record with 36 wins to go with the Lakers' first conference championship. Lake State received the top western seed, however, Clarkson arrived ready to play in the 1991 national quarterfinals and took two of three games to knock out the tournament favorites. Despite the bad end, Smith was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 12th round of the NHL Draft.