DES MOINES, Iowa — With no AHL Season left to play
“I don’t think that was too much of a shock the guys kind of knew that was likely the only scenario for our league.”
Questions still loom for the NHL
“It’s just kind of tough for a guy in my situation if they try to resume the NHL season where I might have to go through a little training camp and finish out the remainder of the season with them.”
C.J. Smith is currently in Minnesota, with no ice arenas open. Still, he has to be ready in case a call comes for the NHL to pick up where they left off.
“More or less staying in shape is the biggest thing all the skills side comes back pretty naturally when you’ve been playing this long.”
Smith is a Des Moines native, but moved to Minnesota around 8th grade looking to boost his hockey career.
The move worked, making his way through the junior hockey ranks to college and now just capping off his second full season of professional hockey, playing a majority of his time with the Rochester Americans in the AHL.
“The skill and the speed is just so high it just keeps getting better and better every year.”
He’s also had his time in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres.
“That was awesome that’s what I’ve worked my whole life for”
Smith’s first NHL goal made him the first Central Iowa skater to put the biscuit in the basket at the sports’ highest level.
“That’s pretty special being the first obviously, Des Moines isn’t a hot bed for youth hockey making it to where I did from where I came from is pretty meaningful. I’ll always remember where I came from and I’m pretty proud be a Des Moines Native.”
There should be more NHL goals to come. He has one year left on his contract with the Buffalo Sabres, so he’s looking to make the most of it before becoming an unrestricted free agent by using this potentially extended off season to his benefit.
“I think it’s going to be a really good spot to see who wants to make that jump to the next level It’s going to be a pretty long off season .there’s just so many things to get better at and improve at. I’m just trying to just find something I can get better at.”