The second-year forward leads Rochester in scoring.
By Erica Whyte / Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Since nearly the beginning of the 2018-19 season, the Rochester Americans have been cruising in the top spot in the North Division. Solid veteran leadership, in combination with some NHL-bound young guns, gritty players who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, and top-notch coaching all have been keys to the Amerks success at the halfway point of this season. And when it comes to the stat sheet, perhaps no one has been more impactful than Amerks points leader C.J. Smith.
“He’s a very reliable two-way forward,” said Amerks head coach Chris Taylor of Smith. “He can play power-play, and kill penalties, and I can also put him in the last minute of any game. He’s reliable on the wall and he cares. He also is genuinely a really good person, and he wants to keep getting better.”
No stranger to point production, last year the 24-year-old forward led the Amerks in rookie scoring with 44 points (17+27) in 57 games. Following a stellar rookie campaign, reigning AHL All-Star MVP Smith has continued to make waves at the American League level, and at the same time he is taking his first steps into his NHL career.
Last week, in his first Sabres call up of the season, the Iowa native scored his first-career NHL goal – the game-winner – in Buffalo’s 5-1 win over New Jersey.
“It was a pretty surreal moment. I shot it and it just trickled in,” said Smith of the goal. “Once the ref actually called it a goal my heart kind of stopped. It was fun, to say the least.”
After being reassigned to the Amerks last Friday evening, Smith tied a career-high as he recorded his second career professional hat-trick – which included the game-winner- to go with an assist in a 5-1 victory against the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies.
According to Taylor, the drive and tenacity shown by Smith following his reassignment to Rochester is a testament to the maturity and motivation he has.
“Some guys, when they get sent down, put their head down and think they did something wrong. But he came back, he was enthused and energetic, and helped give our team some spark. That shows a lot about his character.”
“Obviously, I wanted to stay up (with Buffalo) and stay in the lineup after scoring my first NHL goal, but it is what it is,” said Smith. “I had a lot of confidence coming back, so I kind of just rolled with it.”
Determined to continue improving, Smith, who made history as the first Iowa native to ever score an NHL goal, says that the way that he approaches practices this year has made all the difference.
“One big reason I think I’m seeing results is I really try to push the pace and push the guys in practice. I try to be the best player I can be, so I think that’s helped me out quite a bit. Last year, I think I was a little more complacent during practice, but this year I’ve really tried to push myself, and I think that’s really showing on the ice.”
Echoing Smith’s sentiments, Taylor insists that one of the forward’s biggest strengths is his motivation to get better every day.
“For him, nothing is ever enough. He always comes in and watches video, he self-evaluates really well on his own play, and that’s what is going to make him better; when you can see where you make a mistake, know what you’re good at, and what you’re not god at. He can identify those things and he tries to get better. I love that about him.”
And according to Taylor, if Smith keeps his work ethic up, it’s only a matter of time before he earns himself a permanent spot on the big stage.
“He’s going to play a lot of games in the NHL. He’s got that drive and the will, and he’s just got that edge to him.”