Jeremy Smith

Jeremy Smith grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, the son of a football-playing father and cheerleading mother who didn't skate. When his older brother decided he wanted to play hockey, the family called on Smith's grandmother — a figure skater — to teach the boys on double-blade skates. That early start in the rink set Smith on a path that would eventually carry him through sixteen years of professional hockey.

The Nashville Predators selected Smith in the second round, 24th pick, of the 2007 NHL Draft. The left-catching, 6'0" netminder went on to spend his first ten professional seasons in North America before transitioning overseas to Kunlun Red Star of the KHL, where he also had the opportunity to represent China at the Olympics. Through his time in North America, Smith worked under several prominent goaltending coaches — among them Mitch Korn in Nashville, François Allaire, and Ian Clark — an experience he has reflected on in terms of balancing the pressures of impressing new organizations while also absorbing new coaching philosophies. His NHL career totals across 10 games show 1 win, 6 losses, and 1 overtime loss, with a 3.54 goals-against average and a .888 save percentage.

Smith is also known for his attention to equipment detail. He is believed to be among the highest-level professional players using Warrior's hard plastic slide plates on his pads, and he has described using calipers — obtained from his father — to measure glove finger fit down to the micrometer.

InGoal Magazine has covered Jeremy Smith in one podcast appearance. In that conversation ^[1], Smith discussed his career arc across sixteen professional seasons, his experiences with some of the most recognized goaltending coaches in the game, the challenge of learning under new voices while simultaneously trying to earn a roster spot, and his detailed approach to goaltending equipment.