Kenton Smith Kenton Smith ( born September 10 , 1979 in Edmonton , Alberta , Canada ) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player , currently playing for the Cardiff Devils in the British Elite Ice Hockey League . Playing career . Smith began playing at major junior level for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League ( WHL ) in 1995 – 96 . He would compted for the Hitmen for five seasons , establishing himself as a cornerstone of the team during that time . In 1998 – 99 , he recorded 19 goals to establish a single - season team record by a defenceman ( surpassed by Paul Postma ' s 23 goals in 2008 – 09 ) , en route to leading his team to a President ' s Cup as WHL champions in 1999 . Smith played 386 games in total for the Hitmen , scoring 226 points and clocking 527 penalty minutes . Smith began his professional career in 2000 , splitting the season between the ill - fated Detroit Vipers of the International Hockey League ( IHL ) and the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL . In his 13 game spell with the Chiefs , Smith would help them into the post season , when he himself would feature on four occasions . His brief but promising showing with the Chiefs would ensure his return to the ECHL the following season , although for the Pensacola Ice Pilots . Smith would impress for the Ice Pilots , and was rewarded with a call up to the American Hockey League ( AHL ) from the Springfield Falcons . He would feature in 9 AHL games before returning to play at ECHL standard . For the 2002 - 03 season , Smith would become a Charlotte Checkers player , and again showed his ability at ECHL level , scoring 22 points in 48 games . Despite this , Smith would move again during the off - season , this time signing for the Columbus Cottonmouths . He would feature in every one of the Cottonmouths regular season fixtures , helping out with 24 points along the way . In 2004 , Smith chose to return to the Charlotte Checkers , the beginning of a long and successful spell for both player and organisation . The Checkers would make the post - season in all four seasons which Smith spent at the club , and the player himself managed to score 125 points in 282 games . Smith did not miss a single regular season Checkers game from the start of the 2005 - 06 season until his departure at the end of the 2007 - 08 term . In the summer of 2008 , Smith was introduced to his first taste of European hockey , opting to sign for the Elite Ice Hockey League ( EIHL ) ' s Manchester Phoenix under head coach Tony Hand with the contract being announced on June 10 , 2008 . Smith has also been appointed as captain for the 2008 – 09 season . Under Smith ' s often inspiring leadership , the Phoenix reached both the Knock - Out and Challenge Cup finals for the first time in their history as well as once again competing in the play - offs . Despite the success brought to Manchester by the team , off - ice financial problems arose and in the summer of 2009 , the organisation announced that it would compete in the English Premier Ice Hockey League for the 2009 - 10 season . As a direct result , the budget would have to be dramatically reduced and therefore Smith , along with most of the senior squad , would be released . He then joined HC Valpellice Bulldogs in 2009 along with Manchester Phoenix team mate from the previous season , David - Alexandre Beauregard . He has a brother Mark who has recently signed with the Edinburgh Capitals of the EIHL , the league that Kenton played in last season for the Manchester Phoenix .