Montreal Canadiens 2016 NHL Draft: Givani Smith, Punishing Power Forward

by Matt Smith, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine

Givani Smith, RW, Guelph (OHL)
Feb. 27, 1998 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
6-2, 205 lbs. | Shoots L | @givanismith24
2015-’16: 65 GP, 23 G, 19 A, 42 PTS (Guelph Storm)

CSB: No. 54 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No. | THN: No. 51 | HP: No. 41 | FC: No.

Givani Smith was selected with the 13^th overall pick during the 2014 OHL Priority Selection Draft by the Barrie Colts. He played only 31 games for the Colts before being traded to the Guelph Storm at the 2015 trade deadline.

He is the younger brother of Dallas Stars prospect Gemel Smith (104^th overall pick during the 2012 draft.)

The most penalized player during the OHL regular season (146 PIM), Smith is an aggressive player who is prepared to drop the gloves to ignite his team, or to stand up for a fellow teammate. Smith is very much an effective checking forward, playing the body in all three zones, and hits opposing defencemen (or whoever ends up with the puck momentarily) very hard on the forecheck. He is very much a “take the puck back” kind of player, using his stick or body efficiently to do so, which leads to increased scoring chances.

I know what some of you are contemplating, this guy is just a “goon,” but I do not believe this is the case. I do agree nonetheless that to become a more effective (power forward) he must work on his level of discipline. Smith was a member of the worst team in the OHL.  Guelph finished the year with a 13-49-4-2 record for only 32 points, scoring a league low in goals as well. You’d almost certainly be a little more agitated as well if you were losing that often.

Even though he found himself on the wrong side of the win column most games, Smith finished 2^nd on his team in points (42) and goals (23). His size, strength and aggressiveness allow him to win battles along the boards, skate through opposing players, as well as in front of the net, where he has a strong net presence and the ability to effectively bang in rebounds.

The defensive game of Smith could use some work, he has a punishing check and that occasionally gets him out of position but when you play on a team that was as bad as Guelph this season, you’ve got to wonder how he’d fare in a winning, more competitive environment.

It's not just #GameDay… @givanismith24 turns 18 today! Happy birthday, #RoyalCitySmitty! pic.twitter.com/wJuLhV07Zz

— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) February 27, 2016

In conclusion, Givani Smith will not be the player the Habs select 9^th overall at the upcoming NHL Draft in Buffalo, but if he falls to the 3^rd/4^th round (Habs pick 69^th and 99^th) he could certainly be on their radar as the Habs continuously are labelled too small, and/or too soft. Smith may be a work in progress, but players of his size and aggressive nature are often fan favorites, bringing the crowd to their feet after a solid check or fight (more so when they score). Players like Smith also agitate opposing teams, and have them looking over their shoulder, anticipating another devastating hit.

If Smith can continue to produce offensively as well as with his body, while maybe not spending (as much) time in the penalty box, he’d become a solid power forward prospect for the Montreal Canadiens.

Need to catch up on potential draftees? You will find the All Habs draft archive here or use the quick links below to check out our most recent articles on the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

2016 NHL Entry Draft on All Habs Hockey Magazine
In case you missed them! Here are the most recent articles on the draft.
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