BRAINERD — It was a year of change for Cole Smith.
The former Brainerd Warrior and current National Hockey League forward was traded mid-season from the Nashville Predators to the Vegas Golden Knights in March.
The Knights then went on to make a run to the Stanley Cup Finals. After losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, Smith entered free agency and signed a three-year contract worth around $9 million with Chicago Blackhawks on July 1.
“When you get locked up for three years, it’s pretty nice,” Smith said. “It was a good deal for me and it speaks volumes to Chicago that they wanted me and I’m happy to go to that organization and I think it’s cool to go to an original six team.”
Smith appeared in 63 games last season and recorded eight goals and four assists. He played 22 postseason games and tallied three goals and three assists.
Smith just finished his sixth season in the NHL and is signed with the Blackhawks through the 2029-30 season.
“I didn’t know what was going to take place in free agency,” Smith said. “Things happened fast and it was a whirlwind. It felt good to get it signed and done with. I’m happy and we are happy as a family.”
Smith started the 2025-26 team with the Predators, the team that signed him in March of 2020.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) and right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) celebrate defenseman Shea Theodore (27) (not pictured) goal during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Lenovo Center.
James Guillory/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He made one appearance in the 2020-21 season and played in eight games in the 2021-22 season. He found his role in the 2022-23 season with the Predators as he recorded 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 69 games.
He helped the Predators reach the playoffs in 2023-24 with 23 points, a career high, in 80 games played.
After spending five and a half years with the Predators, Smith was traded on March 3 to the Vegas Golden Knights for a third-round draft pick in 2028 and Christoffer Sedoff.
“Being traded kind of blindsides you a little bit,” Smith said. “I didn’t have any rumors of being traded, so it hit me by surprise. There were no hard feelings towards Nashville. The first two weeks were chaotic. It was crazy. It was a change of life, but looking back, I am grateful to have been given the opportunity. I really enjoyed my time in Nashville as they gave me a shot in the NHL.”
Smith played the final 21 games for the Golden Knights helping them secure the Pacific Division title.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) skates down the ice during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche in game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ball Arena.
Ron Chenoy/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Smith scored his first career playoff goal in Game Four of the Golden Knights’ first-round series against the Utah Mammoth. The Golden Knights won 5-4 in overtime. He added an empty-net goal in the series clinching Game Six as the Golden Knights won the series 4-2.
In the second round, the Golden Knights beat the Anaheim Ducks in six games to advance to the Western Conference Finals. In the Western Conference Finals, the Golden Knights swept the Colorado Avalanche in four games and it was Smith who scored the game-winning goal in Game Four to send the Golden Knights back to Stanley Cup Finals.
“That goal to get to the cup will sit with us for a while,” Smith said. “It was a surreal moment and you watch those moments on TV and you want to be one of those guys and it was special.”
In another unusual twist, the Golden Knights made their run to the Stanley Cup Finals with an interim coach. John Tortorella was hired as the Golden Knights’ new head coach after they fired Bruce Cassidy with eight games left in the season.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) warms up before a game against the Colorado Avalanche in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena.
Stephen R. Sylvanie / Imagn Images
“I went through three coaches in three weeks,” Smith said. “I didn’t even get a chance to get to know Cassidy that well. (Tortorella) came in and was great. He is who he is and is a great coach. I think our team bought into him and I enjoyed playing for him.”
The Knights finished the regular season 7-0-1 and went 12-4 in the playoffs to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. After the Knights grabbed a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Hurricanes won the next three games to win their first Stanley Cup since 2006.
Smith recorded an assist in the Knights’ Game One win in Carolina.
“The cool moments were after games and series getting text messages from people from back home that are supporting you,” Smith said. “We have a tight community in Brainerd and it’s super cool.”
Smith, a 2014 Brainerd graduate, is back in the lakes area for the summer. He plans to play in the Be Next McLain Family Foundation Charity Hockey Game put on by Mitch McLain, who plays for the Henderson Silver Knights, the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Smith joins the many NHL players in the charity hockey game Saturday, July 18, at the Essentia Health Sports Center.
“I love being back here in the summers and it’s a cool thing that Mitch is doing,” Smith said. “He’s bringing awareness back to hockey here and I’m proud to be a part of it and I’m proud of him for putting it together.”
Smith’s younger sister Allyson Smith went into the Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame in April. His youngest sister, Gabbie Smith, is an assistant coach for the Brainerd/Little Falls Warriors. His mom, Kris Smith, is an assistant coach for the Warrior track and field team.
“Family means everything to me,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my family growing up. Even today with my future wife and my kid, they are my backbone of support — especially this year with being traded. It helps a lot.”