Devante Smith-Pelly

Devante Malik Smith-Pelly (born June 14, 1992) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played parts of 8 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Washington Capitals. Outside of the NHL, Smith-Pelly also played for the Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Smith-Pelly is a one-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Capitals in 2018.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Smith-Pelly played parts of three seasons with the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had a successful time with the Majors. He helped the team during the playoffs. Smith-Pelly scored a triple-overtime goal during the second-longest game in OHL history to eliminate the Barrie Colts from the conference quarterfinals.

He was drafted 42nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2010 NHL entry draft. On October 7, 2011, Smith-Pelly made his NHL debut in a 4–1 loss against the Buffalo Sabres. The next day on December 8, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Andrew Cogliano goal in a 2–1 shootout win against the New York Rangers. On November 9, Smith-Pelly scored his first NHL goal against Pekka Rinne in a 4–2 loss against the Nashville Predators. The goal was first awarded to Cam Fowler but the replay showed the puck deflecting off of Smith-Pelly's knee and going in.

On February 24, 2015, the Ducks traded Smith-Pelly to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Jiří Sekáč. He played parts of two seasons with the Canadiens.

On February 29, 2016, the Canadiens traded Smith-Pelly to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Stefan Matteau. On July 1, Smith-Pelly signed a two-year, $2.6 million contract to stay with the Devils.

On July 3, 2017, Smith-Pelly signed a one-year, $650,000 contract to join the Washington Capitals. He was sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Manitoba Moose. He scored 1 goal and recorded 2 assists in 12 games for the Canucks.

He helped the Capitals when they went on a run in the playoffs. They defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Tampa Bay Lightning. They went on to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights four games to one in the Final to win the first Stanley Cup in Capitals franchise history. Smith-Pelly along with other teammates did not follow NHL tradition and visit the White House after the win because they disagreed with Donald Trump and his politics. On February 20, 2019, the Capitals placed Smith-Pelly on waivers and he was cleared to play for their AHL-affiliate Hershey Bears.

On October 25, 2019, Smith-Pelly decided to leave North America and signed a one-year contract with the Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

On March 13, 2021, Smith-Pelly returned to North America and signed a contract to play for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL). During his time with the Reign, Smith-Pelly played on a line with Quinton Byfield and Akil Thomas, which was the first all-Black line in the history of the Reign.

On December 30, 2022, Smith-Pelly announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1992 births
Category:Living people
Category:Anaheim Ducks players
Category:Black Canadian sportspeople
Category:Canadian ice hockey left wingers
Category:Hershey Bears players
Category:Ice hockey people from Ontario
Category:Montreal Canadiens players
Category:New Jersey Devils players
Category:Norfolk Admirals players
Category:Ontario Reign (AHL) players
Category:Stanley Cup champions
Category:Syracuse Crunch players
Category:Washington Capitals players