Jason La Rose
WJAC Experience: Canada East – 2006 | Silver Medal WJAC Statistics: 4 GP 0G 2A 2P
NHL Entry Draft: Detroit Red Wings 2007 (1st round, 27th overall) NHL Statistics (as of Dec. 4): 213 GP 11G 39A 50P
Other International Experience: 2005 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (fourth place)
At the WJAC: Smith was a leader on a very good Canada East blue-line that, along with future NHLer Cam Talbot between the pipes, allowed just one goal a game on its way to the gold medal game in Yorkton, Sask. Smith also chipped in offensively, contributing two assists to the offensive cause.
Canada East fell into a 4-0 hole against Canada West in the gold medal game by the time it reached the middle of the second period, but chipped away to make it a one-goal game in the dying minutes before ultimately coming up short and settling for silver.
After the WJAC: Taken 27th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Smith spent three seasons with the University of Wisconsin from 2007-10, earning WCHA First All-Star Team and First Team All-American honours in his junior season, after which he made the decision to go pro.
Smith played a full season in the AHL with Grand Rapids in 2010-11, and split the next two years between the Griffins and Red Wings before earning a full-time spot with Detroit in 2013. He’s been a steadying presence on the Red Wings’ blue-line over the last three seasons, averaging 18 minutes of ice time per game in a top-four role while playing more than 70 games in each of his first two full campaigns.