Skating ability, great vision and a gambler's instincts. The laundry list of attributes for a budding NHL attacking defenseman were all checked off during Smith's third and final season at the University of Wisconsin in 2009-10.

Generating 52 points, including 37 assists, over 42 games, the Mimico, Ontario, product ranked as the highest scoring defenseman in the NCAA and finished tied for second in scoring for Wisconsin.

A poised and confident player, Smith was a finalist for the 2010 Hobey Baker Award, given to the top U.S. college player, which was won by Wisconsin teammate Blake Geoffrion.

Smith had enrolled at Wisconsin following his draft year, when he was selected by the Detroit Red Wings with the No. 27 pick in the 2007 NHL Draft following a 36-point season for St. Michael's in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. On completing his junior year at Wisconsin, Smith signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Red Wings.

Expectations were high for the 6-foot-2, 211-pound defenseman who, playing for Grand Rapids in the American Hockey League in 2010-11, scored 32 points in 63 games despite missing time with injuries.

On Nov. 17, 2011, Smith made his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks. On March 2, 2012, following a call-up necessitated by defenseman Mike Commodore's trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Smith scored his first NHL goal in a 6-0 victory against the Minnesota Wild.

The shortened 2012-2013 season marked Smith's first full-time NHL opportunity, and he played in 34 of Detroit's 48 games. He followed that with 71 and 76 appearances, respectively, and on June 30, 2015, he signed a two-year contract with the Red Wings.