Mark Smith (ice hockey)
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| Position | Centre |
| Shoots | Left |
| Nickname | Smitty |
| Height Weight |
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 215 lb (98 kg) |
| NHL Team | San Jose Sharks |
| Nationality |  Canada |
| Born | October 24, 1977, Edmonton, Alberta, CAN |
| NHL Draft | 219th overall, 1997 San Jose Sharks |
| Pro Career | 1998 – present |
Mark Smith (b. October 24, 1977, Edmonton, Alberta) is an ice hockey centre for the NHL's San Jose Sharks. He was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the 9th round, 219th overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Smith's trademark (on and off the ice) is his constantly changing hair color.
Smith is also the guitarist and lead singer for the Bay Area band, The Vinyl Trees, featured on Smith's own record label Lunar Records. Smith started Lunar Records during the 2004-05 NHL lockout. Smith, who has been playing guitar since age 16, adds color to his music with a variety of other instruments like the Didgeridoo, the Xylophone, and the Donkey Jaw.
On July 24, 2006, he was awarded a $700,000 one-year contract through arbitration.
[edit] Playing style
Mark Smith is a very speedy player with an energizer's checking style. San Jose has utilized Smith on both the penalty kill and the powerplay.
A prime agitator, Smith does not let his relatively small size impede him. He uses his energizing style to create opportunities for San Jose while taking them away from their opponents with solid hits. His scrappy style also leads him to fight sometimes and he does not shy away from it.
In the 2005-06 NHL season Mark Smith displayed some of his offensive ability by setting a career high in regular season and playoff goals.
[edit] Career statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1994-95 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 49 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 25 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1995-96 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 71 | 11 | 24 | 35 | 59 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1996-97 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 62 | 19 | 38 | 57 | 125 | 19 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 51 | ||
| 1997-98 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 70 | 42 | 67 | 109 | 206 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 18 | ||
| 1997-98 | Kentucky Thoroughblades | AHL | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1998-99 | Kentucky Thoroughblades | AHL | 78 | 18 | 21 | 39 | 101 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 16 | ||
| 1999-00 | Kentucky Thoroughblades | AHL | 79 | 21 | 45 | 66 | 153 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 22 | ||
| 2000-01 | Kentucky Thoroughblades | AHL | 6 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 23 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2000-01 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 42 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 51 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2001-02 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 49 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 72 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2002-03 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 75 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 64 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2003-04 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 36 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 72 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | ||
| 2004-05 | Victoria Salmon Kings | ECHL | 20 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 41 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2005-06 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 80 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 97 | *8 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | ||
*As of May 13, 2006
