Devante Smith-Pelly

Devante Smith-Pelly, Quinton Byfield, and Akil Thomas form hockey’s first all-Black line since the ’40s

Former Capital Devante Smith-Pelly made his debut last week for the Ontario Reign. In his third game for the team, DSP was a part of something historic.

Reign head coach John Wroblewski put Smith-Pelly on a line with Akil Thomas and star center Quinton Byfield against the Bakersfield Condors. According to Soul On Ice The Podcast, it marked the first all-Black line in professional hockey since the 1940s.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 3 months ago

1 Comment

Report: Ontario Reign likely to sign Devante Smith-Pelly to AHL deal

Former Capital Devante Smith-Pelly will be playing hockey again for a team close to his Scarborough home.

According to Mayors Manor’s John Hoven, DSP will be signing an AHL deal with the Ontario Reign. The deal will give the team some veteran experience down the stretch.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 3 months ago

0 Comment

Wayne Gretzky calls Devante Smith-Pelly the ‘unlikely hero’ of the Capitals’ Stanley Cup run in 2018

Devante Smith-Pelly was honored by the greatest hockey player in NHL history, Wayne Gretzky, on Thursday.

In a video for the NHL, Gretzky described DSP as the “unlikely hero” of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 9 months ago

0 Comment

These NHL players have spoken out about racism and the death of George Floyd

George Floyd died on May 25, after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. His death has sparked sorrow and protests across the country, demanding meaningful change. While many high-profile athletes have shared their opinions on the event, including LeBron James and Colin Kaepernick, the NHL has been relatively quiet.

Two Black players, JT Brown and Evander Kane, were the first to speak up. In an interview with ESPN’s First Take, Kane called on other high profile athletes “like Tom Brady and Sidney Crosby” to do something.

“We need so many more athletes–that don’t look like me–speaking out about this,” he said, “having the same amount of outrage that I have inside, and using that to voice their opinion, to voice their frustration, because that’s the only way it’s going to change.”

Since that time, more NHL players–both white and Black–have added their voices to the call for change. Here’s who they are and what they had to say.

(more…)

By Brennin Weiswerda 1 year ago

37 Comments

Jakub Vrana cooked pasta and Devante Smith-Pelly was so proud

You can now call Jakub Vrana Chef Boyar-V because the Capitals forward accomplished a major feat today: he made a meal by himself.

Thursday, Vrana’s sister Jana posted video of Jakub making a fine pasta dish at his family’s home in the Czech Republic. Vrana was one of nine Capitals players who left North America and flew home during the suspension of the NHL season due to the coronavirus.

“Spaghetti with [unintelligible] sauce with a little touch of sausage,” Chef Boyar-V said. “With some garlic. You have cherry tomatoes in there as well. It’s easy to eat. Easy to make. Simple!”

He beamed with pride and did the chef kiss.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 1 year ago

2 Comments

Devante Smith-Pelly scores first career KHL goal

Former Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly scored his first career KHL goal in Kunlun Red Star’s 4-0 victory over Admiral Vladivostok, Tuesday.

Smith-Pelly’s second-period tally was a shorthanded goal.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 2 years ago

0 Comment

Report: Devante Smith-Pelly will continue his career in the KHL with Kunlun Red Star

After being released from his professional try out by the Calgary Flames, Devante Smith-Pelly has found a new team. It is not in the NHL.

The Stanley Cup champion forward, according to R-Sport, will play for the Kunlun Red Star, a KHL team located in China.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 2 years ago

1 Comment

Devante Smith-Pelly released from professional tryout by Calgary Flames

Stanley Cup champion Devante Smith-Pelly was released from his professional tryout by the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

DSP inked the tryout on September 4 along with Tobias Rieder (RW/LW), Zac Rinaldo (LW), and Alexandre Grenier (RW).

(more…)

By Ian Oland 2 years ago

5 Comments

Devante Smith-Pelly believes he has a ‘good shot’ at making Calgary Flames roster after post-Stanley Cup troubles

At the beginning of September, former Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly received a PTO with the Calgary Flames. While he attended BioSteel Camp in Toronto around the time of the agreement, he opted not to speak to the media. On Tuesday, he broke his silence for the first time ahead of the Flames’ Training Camp, discussing his decision to sign the PTO and take his talents to the Pacific Division. He also spoke about what went wrong in Washington.

“They showed interest from the start,” Smith-Pelly said to TSN reporters about why he felt Calgary was the right place for him. “Obviously, would have loved to get a contract coming into camp but they’ve got some other things they’ve got to deal with contract-wise. I looked at the lineup and where I saw myself fitting in, and thought this would be a good spot to compete for a chance to play.”

(more…)

By Donya Abramo 2 years ago

0 Comment