Smith rejeuvenated in Leamington

Colton Smith is a young man on a mission. "I came here to lead the team and lead the league and to prove whoever cut me they were wrong." The Leamington Flyers assistant captain said.

Colton Smith

Smith had a solid first year with Windsor notching 22 goals and 47 points in 62 regular season games. His second season was a struggle. A year after winning the Western Conference regular season title, the Spits finished second last in the OHL and Smith's production took a plunge as well as he put up 13 goals and 28 points in 68 games.

"My 19-year old year wasn't great," said Smith who went unclaimed through OHL waivers. "That sucked for me but at the end of the day I found a home here and I'm almost happier I ended up here because I get the opportunity to play. I'm getting to play with great people."

The 20-year old is on a tear with 24 goals and 37 points in 20 games, tops in the OJHL.

"I always knew he could score goals," said Flyers head coach Dale Mitchell. "No shot at anywhere he's been but he's given a big role, a big responsibility which he's definitely embraced and having fun with it so far and you can tell by the success we're having as a team."

Smith scored the game winner, his fourth GW of the season, as the Flyers beat Cobourg 3-0 Monday for their ninth straight victory. Leamington has a three point lead over Trenton and Collingwood for first overall in the league.

Having won two Memorial Cups as a member of the Spitfiers under DJ Smith, who is now an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings, Mitchell remembers Colton hanging around the lockeroom and skating with the team when he was 5-6 years old. He says he has followed Colton's career and is glad the younger Smith is on his bench.

"He's a spitting image of his dad off the ice," Mitchell said while belting out a good laugh. "It's great for our room. There's never a dull moment with him. That's for sure."

Smith came to the Flyers because of the way the franchise is run and is thankful for the opportunity to pursue his mission with this group.

"That's been my goal and I'm gonna continue to do that until our team can drive up the trophy over our head."