Givani Smith facts for kids

Givani Smith was born on February 27, 1998, in Canada. He is a professional ice hockey player. He plays as a right wing. Currently, he plays for the Colorado Eagles in the American Hockey League (AHL). He is also part of the Colorado Avalanche team in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Givani Smith's Hockey Journey

Before becoming a professional player, Givani Smith played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He played for teams like the Barrie Colts, Guelph Storm, and Kitchener Rangers. During his time in the OHL, he scored 73 goals and made 62 assists. He also spent a lot of time in the penalty box, leading the league in penalty minutes in 2015–16 and 2016–17.

Starting in the Pros

Givani started his professional career in the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 2018–19 season. He played for the Grand Rapids Griffins. In his first year, he scored six goals and had seven assists in 64 games.

Making it to the NHL

On October 25, 2019, Givani was called up to play for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League (NHL). This was a big step for him! He made his NHL debut that same night against the Buffalo Sabres. He played well, taking two shots on goal.

He was sent back to the Griffins for a short time but was called up again on December 31, 2019. On January 14, 2020, Givani scored his very first NHL goal. It was against Thomas Greiss of the New York Islanders. He continued to play for the Red Wings, showing his skills and toughness.

Moving to New Teams

On December 19, 2022, Givani was traded from the Red Wings to the Florida Panthers. Before this trade, he had scored two goals and made three assists for the Griffins. He also played in two games for the Red Wings that season.

After playing for the Panthers, Givani became a free agent on July 1, 2023. He then signed a two-year contract with the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first goal for the Sharks on November 16 against the St. Louis Blues. This goal was special because he became the 300th player to score for the Sharks team. He played in 36 games for the Sharks that season.

Joining the Avalanche

At the start of the 2024–25 season, Givani didn't play much for the Sharks. On December 9, 2024, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. This trade involved several players and draft picks. He made his debut with the Avalanche the very next day. He helped his new team win 6-2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Givani's Family Life

Givani Smith has Jamaican roots. He also has an older brother, Gemel Smith, who is also an NHL ice hockey player.