One eye or not, he's back on the ice

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By PAUL BETIT, Staff Writer Maine Sunday Telegram

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Exactly one year ago, Jordan Smith was lying in a Maine Medical Center bed, contemplating his hockey future.

His dream of playing in the National Hockey League was over. It ended the night before, on Feb. 24, when a deflected puck cost him the sight in his left eye while he was playing defense for the Portland Pirates.

His NHL dream ended but his desire to play hockey remained.

Less than a year later, Smith has returned to the ice. For the past two months he's been playing for Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Smith's return is a testament to his determination.

"He said to us in the hospital that he wanted to play again and that was his main concern," Portland defenseman Aaron Rome said. "It's great he's back playing, no matter where he's playing. He loves the game. I'm very happy for him."

Smith's left eye was lacerated and he suffered multiple fractures in the orbital bone surrounding it when he was hit by a puck during the first period against the Manchester Monarchs at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

After two operations it was determined his sight was gone for good. Smith was forced to retire from pro hockey.

"Right after it happened, I knew I always wanted to play again," Smith said. "I knew school was an option and it turned out to be the best option for me."

Smith is majoring in history and plans to become a teacher.

"I've gotten the opportunity to play (hockey) and get my education, and I'm making the most of it," he said.

It took Smith some time to find the right college.

Then it took awhile for him to feel comfortable playing hockey again.

"The biggest change I've had to deal with is knowing where the opposition is on the ice at all times," he said. "Staying one step ahead of the play. Anticipating. Knowing what to do with the puck before I get it. It's just hockey sense."

Most of Smith's adjustments have been mental. To play at a competitive level, he had to get into the right frame of mind. Basically he couldn't leave any room for self-doubt.

"I had to understand I lost my eye. I didn't lose my hockey sense," Smith said. "I didn't lose my talent. I just lost my eye."

That wasn't easy.

"I was unsure," said Smith. "Once I put that behind me, I was all right."

Because Smith, 21, spent one season as a pro, the NCAA prohibited him from playing for an American college. But his age and relatively brief time as a pro enabled Smith to retain his full eligibility in Canada.

"The way it works in Canada is you have five years of eligibility, five years to play hockey or any other sport," said Tom Warden, the Lakehead athletic director.

To protect himself, Smith now wears a full shield. All Canadian players must wear visors to protect their eyes, but Smith also wears a plastic cage to protect the rest of his face.

Last June, spurred by Smith's injury, the AHL made the use of visors mandatory for all players.

"If (the mandatory rule) saves one guy, it's great," Smith said. "I don't want to see one guy go through what I went through and have this happen to them."

The Thunderwolves were about two thirds of the way through their regular-season schedule before Smith joined. He didn't play his first game until Jan. 5 in Windsor, Ontario.

"He made the decision to come here too late to start the first semester," Warden said.

Before deciding where to enroll, Smith had a number of offers from Canadian colleges.

Lakehead appears to be the right place for him.

Thunder Bay, a city of more than 100,000 people, is at the western end of Lake Superior, about 475 miles from Smith's hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

"Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay are very similar communities, and it's a real good fit for him." Warden said.

"I like to hunt and fish, and I can do both of those things (in Thunder Bay)," Smith said.

Another reason Smith settled on Lakehead is because the coaching staff didn't seem in a rush to get him back on the ice.

"I knew they were going to be patient with me here, and they have been," he said.

His return was gradual.

"I skated a couple of times in Portland (last) spring," he said, "Then I didn't skate again until the end of the summer, and then I didn't skate until a couple of weeks before I got here."

The Thunderwolves have allowed Smith to gradually get accustomed to playing with one eye.

In his first 12 games, Smith has five assists.

"My goal was to be performing at a high level by the playoffs," he said. "I feel I'm where I want to be. I feel I'm in a position where I can help my team."

Smith's first goal for the Thunderwolves came Feb. 14 during his 13th game with the team. He put in a rebound during the second period of a four-overtime 3-2 victory against York in the first game of the opening round of the Ontario University Athletic Conference playoffs.

The Thunderwolves went on to sweep the best-of-three series in two games.

On Saturday night, the Thunderwolves went into a game against Laurier University at Waterloo, Ontario, needing a victory to keep their best-of-three semifinal series alive.

Game 3 is scheduled for today if needed.

"I don't think it's been an easy adjustment for him," Warden said. "His injury was substantial, but he gets better every game."

"Now I'm feeling more comfortable and I'm playing the game the way I like to play it," Smith said.

Warden, who took over the Thunderwolves after Coach Pete Belliveau resigned with two games left in the regular season, couldn't find enough superlatives to describe Smith.

"After being there for just a short time, I know what kind of leader he is," Warden said. "The effort that the kid has is just incredible, and the willingness of him to give up his body is unbelievable."

Canadian colleges usually don't attract players of Smith's caliber.

"He was a second-round pick (by Anaheim in the 2004 draft) and those kids don't usually play in our league," Warden said. "We get some fourth- and fifth- rounders."

Smith doesn't believe opponents try to take advantage of his handicap.

"It doesn't matter where you approach me from, I'm going to play my game," he said. "If someone worried about what they're going to do with me, I'm ahead already."

None of the Pirates who know Smith are surprised he's playing again.

"With a kid with that big of a heart and that much of a lust for life, it's no surprise with anything he does," Portland Coach Kevin Dineen said.

"He had us worried, but I know he's taking the proper precautions to insure his safety, so I'm excited and pleased for him to be doing something he likes so much."

Smith, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound defenseman with a reputation for sticking up for his teammates when he was with the Pirates, made it clear he hasn't changed his approach to hockey.

"In this league there is no fighting," he said, "but I've always played with a physical edge, and that's the way I play. That's the way I learned to play the game."

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 725-8795 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

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