Smith back with Heartlanders

Coralville, Iowa – Forward Jake Smith has agreed to terms on a contract with the Iowa Heartlanders for the 2022-23 season.

Smith led the ECHL with 13 power-play goals in 2021-22 and ranked second on the team with 25 overall tallies. What made the feat even more remarkable was Smith joined the Heartlanders nearly two months into the ECHL season; all of his goals came after Jan. 2.

The 25-year-old is preparing for his fourth professional campaign; last season marked his first full year at the ECHL level. Over his first three seasons pro, Smith combined for 27 goals in 60 Southern Professional Hockey League games and spent part of the 2019-20 season in Germany. A native of Pickering, Ontario, Smith played one season for Carleton University (USports, 2018-19), one year in the Ontario Hockey League for Windsor and two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Val-d’Ors, Chicoutimi and Acadie-Bathurst.