Former Montreal Canadiens Devante Smith-Pelly will return to the Washington Capitals during the team’s trip to the western United States, but not for the reasons some suspect.
In fact, the one who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 2011 to 2019 will be a radio analyst with the describer John Walton. Smith-Pelly is currently expected to fill these roles for the team’s next five away games.
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“I’m extremely excited, I knew right away that I wanted to try and I’m grateful to have this opportunity,” the 31-year-old said in comments posted on the NHL website. John Walton has been great, we’ve talked a lot over the last few weeks about how he prepares… He’s the expert and I’ll just understand him.”
As a player, Smith-Pelly made an impact in the Capitals’ Stanley Cup victory in 2018. During this successful playoff run for his team, the second-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2010 recorded seven goals and one assist for eight points in 24 games.
He played another season for the club from the American capital before making the jump to the Continental Hockey League (KHL) with the Kunlun Red Star. Smith-Pelly retired in 2022 after 24 games for the Laval Rocket of the American League.
In his NHL career, the Scarborough, Ontario native collected 44 goals and 57 assists for 101 points in 395 games for the Capitals, Ducks, Canadiens and New Jersey Devils.