Dawson Smith mans the crease during a game against the Nipawin Hawks on Sept. 25, 2021. (Richard Petersen)

By larongeNOW staff

Smith goes D1

Ice Wolves goaltender commits to NCAA D1 school for next season

Apr 15, 2023 | 11:43 AM

La Ronge Ice Wolves goalie Dawson Smith is set to take his career to the next level.

The team announced Saturday that the 20-year-old netminder has committed to Western Michigan University for the 2023-24 season, an NCAA Division I school in the US.

This past season was Smith’s best in the SJHL, posting a .937 save percentage and a 2.37 goals-against average (GAA) in 35 appearances all while helping the Ice Wolves clinch a playoff spot in this year’s postseason. The impressive stats didn’t go unrecognized either as he was a finalist for the league’s Goalie of the Year award.

“I can’t tell you how much I’ve appreciated my time in La Ronge,” Smith said in a release. “Before my time there, I wouldn’t have been able to point out La Ronge on a map, but after two years, it’s going to be impossible to forget.”

Also in the release, Head Coach and General Manager of the club Kevin Kaminski spoke on Smith’s commitment.

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“Western Michigan is getting an unbelievable kid with an ultimate work ethic and care factor,” he said. “(Smith) competes on every puck in practices and games. He can make the most spectacular saves when you think it’s a sure goal.”

The Whitehorse, YT product spent two seasons with the club, registering a 31-21-3-4 record during that time along with a 3.02 GAA and a .917 save percentage. In the playoffs, Smith with a 2-2-0-2 record with a 3.26 GAA and .919 save percentage.

“It’s a great community with great people and some amazing hockey fans,” Smith continued. “Thank you to my billet family (Allyson and Jared Richards) for letting me crash at your pad and become part of your awesome family. Most of all, I want to thank Kevin Kaminski for taking a chance on me and giving me an opportunity to play with the Ice Wolves over the past two seasons.”

Last season, Western Michigan finished second in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) with a 15-8-1 record. Overall, the Broncos finished eleventh in NCAA Division I hockey with a 23-15-1 record.

With files from the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

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larongeNOW@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @larongeNOW