In a whirlwind turn of events, former Peterborough Pete, Konnor Smith, found himself thrust into the AHL just 48 hours after his OHL playoff run ended. Making his professional hockey debut with the San Diego Gulls, the affiliate team of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, Smith’s journey from junior hockey to the AHL is nothing short of remarkable.
The former 9th round pick of the Petes, who was traded to the Owen Sound Attack at the OHL trade deadline, recounted the moment he received the call from Anaheim’s staff, just 12 hours after the Attack were eliminated from the playoffs.
With little time to spare, Smith rushed home to pack and say goodbye to his family before catching a flight to San Diego the next morning. Upon arrival, he went straight from the airport to the rink, meeting his new teammates and gearing up for his AHL debut. Despite being initially told he would play the following weekend, Smith’s plans quickly changed when the head coach told him he’d be in the lineup that night.
Smith seized the moment of his AHL debut, not only contributing to the game but also making a memorable impact by scoring his first professional goal, which led to him being named the game’s third star. When describing that first goal, the 19-year-old Windsor native said the moment was made even more special by the reactions of his new teammates.
The atmosphere in San Diego proved to be electrifying for Smith, who marveled at the 11,000 fans in attendance, a big contrast from the Owen Sound rink he was playing in just two days prior.
Looking ahead, Smith is taking things day by day, focusing on making the most of his time in the AHL until the end of the season. As for the summer, he plans to take a brief break before diving back into training and preparing for the next chapter in his hockey career.
Smith’s hockey journey serves as a testament to his dedication and talent, earning recognition and pride from his hometown of Windsor, as well as in Peterborough and beyond. As he continues to chase his hockey dreams, Smith’s AHL debut marks just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting professional career.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
