Courtesy of Steinbach Pistons:
Former Steinbach Pistons forward Cole Smith continues to build his already impressive hockey resume, as he has won the famed University of North Dakota Iron Man competition for the third time in four seasons.
Smith spent two seasons with the Pistons from 2014-16, accumulating 38 goals and 84 points in 92 career regular season games. He got better in the playoffs, tallying 13 goals and 26 points in 27 career postseason games with Steinbach.
The Brainerd, Minnesota native is heading into his senior year with the Fighting Hawks and has improved on his point production every season. He notched five goals and 16 points while finishing third on the team in plus/minus (+12).
The Iron Man competition is an accumulation of off-ice workouts and tests that occur during the preseason, including the mile run, shuttle run, vertical and broad jump, and an on-ice conditioning test.
“I don’t think there’s a big surprise there,” UND Head Coach Brad Berry told the Grand Forks Herald yesterday. “He’s just an athlete. He’s a competitor; he hates to lose. He’s a guy who brings it every single day whether it’s on the ice or off the ice. He’s ready to go in the mornings, he gets up early in the morning and his day starts fast. Everything he does is that way. It’s great having a leader who has those attributes, because it resonates with the rest of the team.”
Smith was named as an assistant captain for the upcoming season for UND, who’s looking to make it back to the NCAA Tournament after barely missing out last season. He’s also participated twice at the Tampa Bay Lightning Development Camp in 2017 and 2018.
