Craig Smith

Craig Smith was born on September 5, 1989 in Madison, Wisconsin and currently plays right wing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League. Craig was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round, 98th overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. After concluding his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin, Craig became the first player since Colin Wilson to make the Predators without first playing for the Milwaukee Admirals and on October 7, 2011, he scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In July of 2015 the Predators signed Craig to a five-year, $21.25 million contract extension. In October 2020, Craig signed a 3 year free agent contract with the Boston Bruins for $9.3 million dollars. On February 23, 2023, Smith was traded from the Bruins along with three (3) Draft picks to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Garnet Hathaway and Dmitry Orlov. On July 1, 2023, Craig signed a 1 year contract with the Dallas Stars for $1 million. On July 1, 2024, Smith signed a 1 year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks for $1 million.

Internationally, Craig was a member of the United States men’s national ice hockey team at the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 IIHF World Championships, winning the bronze in 2013.