TREVOR SMITH IS GETTING CLOSER
by Justin Bourne, former AHL and ECHL teammate
Editor’s note: We’re fortunate to have another contribution today from Justin Bourne - outstanding hockey writer (USA Today, The Hockey News), son of Bob, future son-in-law of Clark Gillies. In this piece, Justin writes about his former teammate and current Islanders prospect Trevor Smith. Next week, we’ll have our first rankings of Bridgeport prospects. With the Islanders planning a day off in Boston today, no better time for Justin’s fine work.
Trevor Smith is damn near an Islander.
Even though he didn’t crack the lineup at the start of the year, he’ll be one of the first guys called upon to fill in the second someone is hurt. And if we’ve learned one thing about the Islanders, it’s that people tend to get hurt (582 man games lost to injury in 08-09).
Smitty could shoot a puck into your car’s gas tank from across the street.
One of the hardest things in hockey is shooting the puck when it’s not in your “wheelhouse” – a baseball expression that represents the tiny little perfect shooting zone most of us have. Apparently, Trevor was given a wheelhouse the size of the Lighthouse Project.
Anywhere he shoots the damn thing, it’s in - off his back foot to the far post, low. Goal. In front of his body, off the crossbar. Goal. From his backhand while skating. Count it. A one-timer from behind him. Red light. It just seems to come off “right” every time. And that’s no small feat.
He scored 20 times in the American League as a rookie, and that was during a year in which the Isles sent him to the ECHL for two months. How’s that for goal-scoring ability? Combined with his 11 in Utah, that’s a 31 goal rookie campaign.
He’s one of those players that doesn’t need 16 chances a game to score *cough*me*cough*. It only takes one, just like another product of Vancouver’s lower mainland, Burnaby Joe.
I spent the majority of the 07-08 season on Smitty’s team, some with Bridgeport, and some with Utah. We were all mind-boggled when they sent him to us in Utah early in the year, and he immediately proved why it was, in fact, a mind-boggling decision.
His 25 points in 22 games don’t speak enough to how dominant he was. He made every single player who was lucky enough to play on his line better.
Knowing you’re good enough to play at a level is a comforting feeling, but knowing you’re better than the level must be fun. Watching him in the ECHL was like watching a dad play basketball with his eight year old son, holding the ball just out of the kids jumping range, half to tease him, half to entertain himself. One play in particular sticks out in my mind.
I only had one professional hat-trick, and I can thank Trev for the third goal. He was on a one on two, but had a teammate trailing him – the not exactly offensively proficient Kazuma Takahashi – that he could have slowed down and dropped the puck to, which would have made it a two on two.
I was way behind the rush, working to get up the ice after a defensive play, but was beating some lolly-gagging forwards back, trying to make it a three on two if Trev did decide to delay. He did.
Instead of passing it to Kaz, he “passed on” him. Smith physically looked all the way back up the ice and saw me coming, then delayed. He let Kaz go through and take out one of the d-men, sucked the other one over to himself, and sauced the puck so it neatly stopped just inside the blueline.
He saw that I was going to beat the other players up the ice, and made the ridiculous play that left me with a clear shot at the tender.
How’s that for vision?
Last season, Trevor scored another 31 goals, again divided between two leagues. Only last year, it was 30 in the AHL, and one in the NHL.
Some players tend to sit on their talent and just hope it pans out. Instead of falling into that category, Trevor has worked hard, and in turn, has worked himself to a legitimate contender for a spot on the Islanders – a team that could use the type of guy who can score on any given shot.
The three-year entry-level contracts given to kids from junior and college often turn into three-year obligations for organizations, but in this case, they’ve developed someone with the potential to give them some return on their investment.
Not only is it exciting to watch a good dude like Smitty succeed, but it must be exciting for the Islanders to be so right about a guy. Because if Trevor keeps improving at the rate he has, it might not be too long before he’s toying with some of the d-men in the big league, too.
Comments on this post. Islanders talk continues in next thread,
65 Responses to “TREVOR SMITH IS GETTING CLOSER
by Justin Bourne, former AHL and ECHL teammate”
Please Wait
I hope he makes it to the big show and scores 30 this year. He’s picked a great number to wear.
I’ve heard all about Trevor Smith, and him being a step away from joining the Isles. He’s the Shelley Duncan of the Islander organization, better than the minors, but not good enough for the big league. Unless he can play defense or hit someone on the back end - not interested.
Hopefully Justin is right, and Smitty turns into a significant piece into our next dynasty.
And I will say it is even money that the first forward called for a scoring role from Bridgeport will be either Smitty or JJ.
Having Jethro as your Father-In-Law… Wow. Watch your step Justin.
he looked pretty good in his 7 game nhl stint last season. i remember that he had good speed and a good shot. he’ll get his shot a full time nhl gig soon, probably at some point this season.
to post 2…he’s played 7 games in the nhl and he is shelley duncan??? some guys take time to develop…he’s what 23?? not every prospect is nhl ready at 20 and not every nhl prospect is a bust at 23…lets see what he does this year..i can only tell you from what i see from him on a weekly basis at b’port..the get has gotten progressively better each season and he works his tail off
#6 - is he a top 6 forward - don’t think so. if he was that good, he wouldve been given a chance rather than us taking someone else’s laughing stock (rob schremp. We have enough 3rd and 4th liners, and we dont need any others. Matt Moulson is much better than Trevor Smith. I’m more intrigued about Katic and McDoonald helping out inept backline than Smith contending for 3rd or 4th line minutes
If this kid develops at the rate they are saying, then the Islanders could definitely say goodbye to Mr. Schremp and Mr. Thompson as soon as possible. I would quite enjoy actually having players on this team that can score goals outside of KO, JT, and Bergie (who will get his share).
GREAT READ JUSTIN!
former teammate? i didnt know Justin wasnt in the orginization anymore! that SUX! i thought he’d be on his way to bridgeport soon! I remember nhl.com had an artical on him, how he was a good prospect. I also remember meeting him at an ipb event, we had talked about how it would be cool if ALL the relatives of Islanders played in the orginization. Hope we get him back!
Thank you CB for posting that and thank you to Justin for the incredibly entertaining and positive story about one of the Isles prospects. For a former college player like myself to read something like that lights a fire under my a** that’s been out for a little while. I want to lace em up and find some ice right now!
#7, why should we trust your word over the word of a professional hockey player who actually played with Trevor. I’m not trying to be mean but evaluating players from your living room usually isn’t the way it’s done.
I like your article Justin. I have read a few pieces that you have done. Perhaps someone should write an article about the young up and coming sports writer!
you would think that a guy that can never misses the net would have more goals than 30 a yr in minors. he has one goal in 7 NHL games.
Call it but you think justin is describing the next coming of Bossy.
Jeff Tambellini is only one year younger than Trevor had 76 points including 38goals in AHL. ~30 goals in each of two previous seasons.
I guess you accuracy changes when you only have 1/2 second to make a decesion in the puck in NHL.
Now im way postive on the Isles but Smith is a 3rd liner at best.
Matt Moulson showing up both Tambellini and Smith right now.
Nice piece, Justin. I got that this kid is improving and competes regardless of the level he’s playing at. Since when don’t we have room for players like that in the Isles organization?
Seems to me there’s too little of it. I look forward to seeing him up on the island when his time comes.
Well I haven’t seen him play but you paint a nice picture, Justin - thanks!
if you read what i said post 10..i see him play 40 times a year live in person and i am just telling you he is getting better each season..i never said he is going to make it or stick or whatever..i am not an nhl scout…
#10 - Gun to your head, is Trevor Smith a top 6 forward. This organization likes nice guys. Josh Bailey is a nice player, a good kid and at best a 2nd line center. Luke Schenn was the guy who shouldve been pummeling Alfredsson, Kovalev and Cheechoo for us last night, and a franchise top 2 defender.
HAHAHA just read Justin’s twit about MM:
“Everytime I see Mike Milbury I think of the start of Austin Powers 2. “Why…won’t…you…DIE…?!” How does that mutant stay employed?”
If he’s so good why didn’t he beat out Sim or Tambellini for a roster spot out of camp?
Love reading Justin’s stuff! He always brings a unique and entertaining perpective to his stories. Please send more stories to PB, Justin!
I hope Smith can be a solid player and secondary scorer for us.
If Sim keeps up his net blindness perhaps he will end up back in the doghouse and TS will get a chance. After last night’s game you can’t think that he is too far off. What was it, 4 opportunities with 3 shots that didn’t even ring a bar?
Smith is a solid player, who, I hope, would do well once he makes it up the show. He has played on our first line since last year, and is starting to get some power play minutes on the ice. He has put on some size since the first year and is becoming more agressive. We would hate to lose him, but you play the game to make it to the big leagues.
Good read, Makes me want to see the Isles give the kid a shot. Just no room right now. Sim is playing valiantly but anyone who thinks he’s more than a 4th liner is crazy. And the asnwer as to why Smith didn’t beat out the other guys for a roster spot is money. He has a two way contract while the others aer all on one way deals.
Shremp, Tambellini, Smith, Moulson, Juonsuo….
2 spots….5 players….and thats if Bergenheim doesn’t move up to the 2nd line.
22 - How are you putting Poulson on that fourth line? He has been on a line with JT since the start and there are no indications he is going anyplace anytime soon… We can debate his worth/skill all day, but it doesn’t change the fact that he has been on Line #1 since JT stepped on the ice…
Moulson not Poulson - typo
With that kind of a shot what is he lacking? Must be a lot unless politics keeps him in Bridgeport. He didn’t make much of an impression on me last year, would love to take another real look.
Re(16)… Which answer do you want: the on-ice (because Smith plays different positions than either Tamby or Sim, that’s why) or the off-ice (because Smith isn’t on a one-way contract and those other two are, that’s why)? Sometimes there really are simple answers, people.
Lou #10,you are being too polite to Alan #6. These guys who wouldn’t know a player if they brushed into them on the street,but boldly presume the subject is basically worthless based on heresay,frankly piss me off! How the heck can he definitively state that Trevor Smith is not as good a player as Matt Moulsen,when in all probability he didn’t know squat about the latter either as recently as 3 weeks ago. Here a former teammate who played on the same line is telling us that Smith may become a special goal scorer and some couch potato without any substancial frame of reference has written him off. Alan!! Stick to your day job!! I am LOOKING(The key word)foward to his reported potential coming to fruition and hopefully adding more firepower to the Isles young core.
“Here a former teammate who played on the same line is telling us that Smith may become a special goal scorer and some couch potato without any substancial frame of reference has written him off. Alan!! Stick to your day job!!”
LOL, Great post!!
To Al L #27
“Here a former teammate who played on the same line is telling us that Smith may become a special goal scorer and some couch potato without any substancial frame of reference has written him off. Alan!! Stick to your day job!!”
Amen LOL, awesome post lol
From someone who has watched Trevor play from the seats in Harbour Yard for the last three years, he is the real deal. He has shown nothing short of improvement since he got here. Those who haven’t seen him play need to lay off. Those of us who have, know we have someone special. From being an undrafted college player, he has developed greatly under coach Capuano. His only drawback is that he plays center and we know how overstocked we are at that position. Smith should be playing on the Island full time next season. Mr Bourne is spot on.
CB - Great article from Justin … he’s a perfect fit for the Point Blank from a player’s perspective.
He paints a picture from a player’s point of view the same way you paint a detailed picture from behind the scenes of an executive’s view.
Keep ‘em coming.
vukota #8
I agree that dude is scary…
Good article from Justin. I enjoy reading his stuff and agree with him on MM. I watch a lot of Bruins games when I am up at school and they have a GREAT tv crew, with the exception of Mike. A lot of times the other guys will bash him and it is classic.
But on Trevor Smith… I think he made a good impression not this past preseason but the season before it. From what I understand, he is almost knocking on the door. He will get his shot this year.
GET HIM HERE NOW!!!!!!!! I’ll drive him to LI myself!!!!! LETS GO!
“and we know how overstocked we are at that position”
?????? thats funny and a bit of a stretch id say. quantity doesnt equal quality
Tamby = Schremp = Smith
Nice piece from Justin.
I got an idea for ya Chris, see if Justin is interested in taking over PB if it becomes too much work for you. He seems to have the knowledge and the right background. Not trying to get rid of ya. Just throwing it out there.
Im sold…he can take Sims place.
First of all, I do work in sports.
Secondly, if Trevor Smith was so highly touted, why isnt he here.
Smith, Tambellini and Comeau are 2nd tier players.
I am being honest.
Bailey, Tavares and Okposo are the only top 6 players I see on this team.
Great input/opinion from Bourne. I’m just wondering, in addition to JB’s player perspective, and CB’s PR perspective, it would be great if a former hockey exec (actually from the hockey side of things) could provide some commentary once in awhile. That would add a perspective we don’t hear much.
Alan is right. Tamby and Schremp will prop snipe better than Smith in the AHL. But Bourne is also right in that Smith, could very well eventually become a scorer in the NHL
Trade Tamby and Comeau for D-men!!!
Last season I was impressed with Smith in his short stint. He seemed involved in the play, making things happen. I’d like to see him given more or a chance this season.
He is on a two-way contract and didn’t have to clear waivers, pure numbers game. Otherwise he might be up over Tambellini, Thompson, Bergenheim, Sim, Comeau or any of the mediocre forwards on this team.
With the Resume like this how he is not with the Big Club yet? From yesterday’s game I see we have to many invisible players who can be replaced by the guys like Smitty without any damage done to the Team’s system. If Smitty can hit the net and many present players shoot 300 times a game and still miss it, then Trevor will make his impact right away.
nice insight from someone other than a sports writer. refreshing, if you will.
All he’s gotta do is drop the #77, because that’s Pierre’s # as far as I’m concerned. Or at least Cliff Ronning’s!
Nice job keeping us informed on future Isles! I hope he can continue to develop and play at a high level.
(39 CHAD) So Bailey, Weight, Tavares, Nielsen and Park aren’t enough? I don’t see what’s funny about that? Please tell me.
Alan #43– “Secondly,if Trevor Smith was so highly touted,why isn’t he here”? If you are seriously involved in Sports as your occupation,one would have expected that you observed his play,hence no need to ask that question. Smith,Tambellini and Comeau are 2nd tier players. While there is substance behind what you say about about the latter two since you had an opportunity to watch them as islanders,just what basis do you have other than presumption including Trevor Smith in the discussion? You state that you are only being honest. No you’re not! How can you make an honest evaluation and come to a conclusion about a kid you have for all intents and purposes never seen play? By the way,a couple of people here were gracious enough to answer your question. Evidently,from a business aspect,it makes a hell of alot more sense to make players on one way contracts earn their keep with the big club and cheaper to send players with two way deals to Bridgeport for further seasoning. Should Garth and Gordon exhaust all efforts to make NHL’ers out of Comeau and Tambellini,then they will turn to Smith,who may be significantly better than both.
Go to youtube and search Trevor Smith islanders. There is his OT winner against the Bruins in last years’ preseason where he was tied in scoring. After that goal he was cut.
Last years 5 game NHL stint ended in Calgary after scoring a beauty playing on the 4th line.
I wonder if the Islanders are serious about him, especially after acquiring Shremp. I really hope they are because he gets better at every level and he has yet to be given a chance to play at the NHL level.
A Trevor Smith Fan
i just got back from the sound tiger game. he went plus 2 and got a goal, an assist, and the GWG in the shootout. this guy is great, he is going to be an islander soon
Smith??? Come on. Get me a real propsect, please. I’m sick of hearing the Isles are a young team with a wonderfuil future. Truth be told, the lineup the Isles iced against Ottawa was an OLD lineup, one of the oldest in the division, if not hockey. Average age was 30+. It is a flat out myth that the Isles are a young team, they aren’t. Of the 19 players they dressed aginst Ottawa, 9 were 30 or over. Only 5 were 24 years old or younger. If Smith could play, he would be here. He’s not young for a prospect.
Bob #56 - Thanks for being an informed Islander fan. Maybe you could tell Al L that Trevor Smith is nothing more than a AAAA prospect. I truly believe that if Neil Smith was still our GM, we wouldnt be the league’s laughing stock like we are now
I think we can all agree that Justine Bourne is a nice guy and is writing a nice story about another “good” guy and good “AHL” player… but let’s be serious… I don’t think Trevor Smith developes into a top 6 forward. He’s 25 or 26 years old… was undrafted… etc. etc. etc.
He will see some ice time this year no doubt… but let’s not get carried away.
I hope he proves me wrong.
DOC
CB:
In your honest opinion, you know the Islander system. How many players do you believe have the potential to be a Top 4 Dman or a Top 6 forward. And I’m talking Bridgeport, Juniors, College, High School and Overseas.
I’m sick of reading about the likes of Hennigar, Bentivoglio, Smith, etc ….
Alan
Alan
Corey#56 was at the Sound Tigers game,and saw Smith first hand,where Bob #57,who you referred to wasn’t, and like you is basing your conclusion on mere presumption. Another comment implied that Justin Bourne was simply doing a sales job on a former teammate who he happened to like. That is pure cynacism. These are all assumptions without any teeth. Talk to those who have actually observed Trevor Smith and then see for yourself before yapping away. Smith may very well not make it in the NHL. Then again,he could very possibly become a great scorer here. We will find out very soon if he has what it takes up here. He certainly possesses the size to take care of himself.
Doc #56,don’t make Smith older than he is to fit your argument. He recently turned 24!!
Al L:
I stand corrected. He is 24. He is however, closer to his 25th birthday than his 24th birthday. February 8th was not “recently”.
Thanks,
DOC
Fine,Doc! I guess you think at 25 he is ready for nursing care. We are all guilty of stereotyping. You know,the 24 or 25 year old undrafted free agent can’t possibly be NHL material. It seems to me, another undrafted 24 year old named Adam Oates did okay for himself. Ditto,a goaltender named Joseph. These guys don’t emerge out of a cookie cutter. Before you write Trevor Smith off,at least give him a chance to fail at the NHL level.
that’s 2 times today that your writing gave me goosebumps…
Either I’m getting old and melancholy, or you’re getting even better at writing…