Devante Smith-Pelly facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Devante Smith-Pelly
Smith-Pelly with the Washington Capitals in April 2018
Born	(1992-06-14) June 14, 1992 (age 33) Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	223 lb (101 kg; 15 st 13 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Anaheim Ducks Montreal Canadiens New Jersey Devils Washington Capitals Kunlun Red Star
NHL Draft	42nd overall, 2010 Anaheim Ducks
Playing career	2011–2022

Devante Malik Smith-Pelly, born on June 14, 1992, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was chosen by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2010 NHL Draft. Devante was known as a 'power forward,' which means he was good at hitting opponents and getting the puck back. He won the Stanley Cup, one of hockey's biggest awards, with the Washington Capitals in 2018.

Devante Smith-Pelly's Hockey Journey

Starting in Junior Hockey

Devante Smith-Pelly started his junior hockey career in the 2008–09 season. He played for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In his first season, he scored 25 points in 57 games. During the 2009 playoffs, he scored a goal in triple-overtime. This goal helped his team win a very long game against the Barrie Colts.

The next season, he played even better, scoring 62 points in 60 games. After this season, the Anaheim Ducks picked him in the 2010 NHL Draft. He was the 42nd player chosen overall.

Devante Smith-Pelly playing for the Ducks in February 2012. The 2011–12 season was his first in the NHL.

Devante returned to the OHL for a third season after being drafted. He had his best junior year, scoring 36 goals and 66 points in 67 games. He also scored 21 points in 20 playoff games. His team, the Majors, made it to the OHL Finals but lost.

Even though they lost the OHL title, the Majors got to play in the 2011 Memorial Cup. This is Canada's national junior hockey tournament. They reached the final game but were defeated by the Saint John Sea Dogs. Devante scored six points in five games during the tournament. He was also named to the Tournament All-Star Team.

Playing Professionally

Devante Smith-Pelly was good enough to join the Anaheim Ducks for the 2011–12 NHL season. He played 26 games and scored five points. In December 2011, the Ducks allowed him to play for the Canadian national junior team.

Devante Smith-Pelly playing for the Devils in March 2016

In the 2014–15 season, Devante played his first full season with the Ducks. He scored 17 points in 54 games. On February 24, 2015, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens.

During the 2015–16 season, Devante started strong with the Canadiens. His team won their first nine games, which was a record for them. However, he was traded again on February 29, 2016, to the New Jersey Devils. This happened just over a year after he joined the Canadiens. Later that year, he signed a new two-year contract with the Devils.

After the 2016–17 season, Devante was released by the Devils. This meant he could look for a new team.

On July 3, 2017, he signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals. On February 17, 2018, something upsetting happened during a game. Four fans at the United Center made racist comments towards Devante. The fans were removed from the arena and banned for life. Both the NHL and the Blackhawks team apologized to Devante.

Devante played a big role in the 2018 playoffs. He scored seven goals, including an important tying goal in the final game of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. This helped the Capitals win their first-ever NHL championship. Devante was only the second player in NHL history to have a hyphenated last name engraved on the Stanley Cup.

In the 2018–19 season, Devante continued to play for the Capitals. He was later sent to their minor league team, the Hershey Bears. This was his first time back in the AHL since 2014. He returned to the Capitals during the 2019 playoffs when another player was injured.

After leaving the Capitals, Devante decided to play hockey outside of North America. He signed a one-year contract with HC Kunlun Red Star, a team in China, in October 2019. He played 36 games and scored 11 points.

In 2021, Devante returned to North America. He played for the Ontario Reign in the AHL. While there, he played on a special line with Quinton Byfield and Akil Thomas. This was the first all-Black line in the team's history.

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

International Hockey

Devante Smith-Pelly as a member of Team Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championships
Medal record
Representing Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Bronze	2012 Canada
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Gold	2009 Canada

Devante Smith-Pelly first played for Hockey Canada in the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He helped Team Ontario win a gold medal, getting three assists in six games.

During his first NHL season, the Anaheim Ducks allowed Devante to play for the Canadian junior team. This was for the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was one of only two players loaned from the NHL for the tournament. He was also named an alternate captain for the team.

In Canada's first game, Devante broke a bone in his left foot while blocking a shot. He chose to stay with the team even though he was injured. Canada went on to win the bronze medal, and Devante received a medal as part of the team.

Personal Life

After winning the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018, Devante Smith-Pelly and two of his teammates decided not to visit the White House. This is a tradition for NHL champions. They made this choice based on their personal views.

Awards and Honours