Forward Ryan Smith was born in Roanoke, Virginia; however, his introduction to the game came in Atlanta, playing roller hockey. The 27-year-old forward is the youngest of three brothers who all played hockey and would throw skates on Ryan to get him started. Two out of the three Smith brothers would end up making it at least to the NCAA level, as his brother Andrew Smith spent four years at Southern New Hampshire University, where he put up two goals and four assists for six points in 55 games.
Before going pro, Smith spent four years at UMaine, putting up 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points in 126 NCAA games. There’s no doubt that there is something special about the fanbase and the environment at Alfond Arena, making it one of the best college experiences. However, for Smith, Adirondack wasn’t his first stop as in his first year out of college, he would play 42 games in the SPHL with the Macon Mayhem, where he put up nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points and would also play three games with the Tulsa Oilers. He would also win an SPHL Championship with the Mayhem in 2021.
“Probably one of the coolest environments definitely in college hockey if not hockey in general. The fans are awesome, the support you get there is crazy, I wouldn’t go to any other school if I had to do it over again and I had a blast there. Can’t say enough nice things about that”
-Smith on his experience at UMaine
In the ECHL, almost every year, players move to a different team, but a small handful of guys always find a home and stay there. In Adirondack, one of the guys is Ryan Smith, who is in his fourth year with the team. The 2024-25 season is the second straight season that the Roanoke, Virginia, native has been named to the Thunder leadership team, as he will once again wear an “A.”
“I like our leadership group, and it definitely means a lot to wear the “A” again. It’s my fourth year here, so I like to share with the young guys about what it’s like to be a pro, hopefully show them a few things, lead by example, and speak up when it’s needed. But it’s an honor to wear the “A.”
-Smith on the Thunder’s 2024-25 Leadership Group
In his four years with the Adirondack Thunder, Smith has scored 56 goals and added 66 assists for 122 points, and he has added ten goals and four assists for 14 points in 24 career Kelly Cup Playoff Games and would lead the Thunder in goals (9) during last year’s Kelly Cup Playoff run. This could be a big year for Smith as he has a chance to break as he is currently 28 goals back of Shane Harper for the franchise goal record and 30 points behind Pete MacArthur for third place in franchise points with the Thunder after coming off a career year where he put up 27 goals and 23 assists for 50 points in 60 games, including playing his 200th career ECHL game last season in Maine. He also broke a franchise record with 262 shots on goal last season.
“All good things. If you’ve been playing in one place this long, you must like it. I’m not trying to get out of here, I’m not asking for trades, I keep coming back and keep playing well here, so I love my time here, so far,”
-Smith on his time in Adirondack so far
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