Konnor Smith Signs ATO and Scores First AHL Goal
On April 6th, the San Diego Gulls announced that the American Hockey League (AHL) club has signed defenseman Konnor Smith to an amateur tryout (ATO).
Smith, 19 (11/6/04), recorded 9-8=17 points with 74 penalty minutes (PIM) in 62 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) contests with Peterborough and Owen Sound in 2023-24, establishing new OHL career-highs in points and goals. He also scored one goal in four OHL playoff games for Owen Sound this season.
The 6’6″, 209-pound defenseman was a fourth-round selection (97th overall) by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2023 NHL Draft. The Windsor, Ont. native has tallied 16-28=44 points with 195 PIM in 179 career OHL games. Smith helped Peterborough to the OHL Championship in 2022-23, collecting two assists (0-2=2) in 23 playoff contests for the Petes. In five Memorial Cup tournament games, he added an assist (0-1=1).
April 6th would also mark Smith’s first game dawning a San Diego Gulls jersey. In this game with the Gulls, Smith would score his first career AHL goal, being the only goal scorer for the Gulls in a 4-1 loss against the Tucson Roadrunners.