NHLer Mike Smith surprises students at Prince Charles PS

Jun 21, 2012

Photo: Verona grown NHLer Mike Smith says thanks to PCPS

Phoenix Coyotes’ goalie Mike Smith recently returned home to Howes Lake in Verona and his young family following an incredible season of NHL hockey.

He made a point of visiting the students and staff of Prince Charles Public School, who had held a rally for him during the playoffs, to thank them and the entire community for their ongoing support. He was also invited to make the ribbon presentations to student athletes at the school’s athletic assembly, which took place on June 19. Following the assembly he handed out signed posters to every student in the school.

I had a chance to speak to Smith prior to the assembly and he expressed his gratitude to the students, staff and the community at large. “It's so great to come back home and see the support from the town I grew up in. My family sent the pictures from the school’s pep rally down to Phoenix and it was great to feel that support from 3000 miles away.”

Now back home he said that he is enjoying being at home with family and friends and keeps busy chasing his 11-month-old son around the house. What's next for Mike? He hopes to be back in Phoenix for another year where he still has a year on his contract there. He will start training again in a few weeks time. Asked what accounted for his amazing run in the play-offs, he replied, “Obviously a lot of things factor into playing well. I had a great goalie coach in Sean Burke and the other coaching staff had confidence in me in every game that I played and of course my team mates were huge supporters of me - obviously in this game it’s never a one man show.”

I asked about his memories from his student days at PCPS. “I was big into sports at that point in my life and have fond memories of track and field and running cross country on the track bed behind the school. I think my involvement in sports back then helped round me out to be the athlete that I am today.”

His advice to students hoping to achieve their own personal goals? “I was fortunate to be athletic as a youngster but I think that every kind of goal is important in life and that whatever a kid happens to be good at, be it arts, or sports, or whatever it is- that if they really put their minds to it, anything is possible.”