It was a bit of a rough first season for Parksville’s Brodie Smith in the B.C. Hockey League (BCHL). The former Oceanside General standout learned a lot in his first full season and is coming into his second season with the Cowichan Valley Capitals looking to prove himself.
It was a tough season all around for the Capitals as they finished in last place in the BCHL’s Island Division but for Smith, fresh off his Ballenas Secondary graduation, it was all part of an ongoing learning process.
“The first season was bumpy,” Smith said. “I just played through it all, as a rookie, learned a lot of things along the way. I think one of the biggest adjustments for me was just the time to make decisions on the ice. It’s a quicker game than it was at the junior B level so I know what to expect next season.”
Smith did manage to put up 11 points in 46 games, scoring five goals and six assists, as well as 29 minutes in penalties. Now graduated, he can turn his focus to hockey.
“It was tough at times,” Smith said. “Having to balance school and hockey got to be hard a couple times last year but I was able to make it happen. It’s definitely going to be a lot different just being able to completely focus on playing hockey and I’m going to do everything that I can to make the most of it.”
Smith likes that the BCHL often sends players on to the university level.
“I’d like that for sure,” he said. “It all comes with getting better as a player on the ice. If I can show the kind of player that I am, hopefully I can turn that in to an offer to go and play somewhere. That’s the goal though; I’d like to make that happen.
During his season with the Generals (2013-14), Smith put up 30 points in 43 games (12 goals and 18 assists) to go along with 47 penalty minutes.
Also in that season, Smith played as an affiliate with the Capitals for 10 games, notching a pair of assists and two minutes in penalties.
Smith is no stranger to the physical aspects of the game but is also known for his knack for putting pucks in the net and setting up teammates as well, which he’ll aspire to this season.
“I’m feeling pretty good heading towards this upcoming season,” Smith said. “I hope to be able to be a guy that the first year players can lean on both on and off the ice. It was nice having that in my first season and I’m hoping to do the same for guys in their first season too.”
