Former Peterborough Petes Konnor Smith Scores In His AHL Debut With the San Diego Gulls

/

Former Peterborough Pete Konnor Smith will not forget his American Hockey League debut anytime soon as he scored his first professional goal with the San Diego Gulls against the Tucson Roadrunners at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Saturday night.

x Photo, San Diego Gulls.

The goal occurred with less than five minutes left in regulation. San Diego had yet to score in the contest and was facing a 3-0 deficit. The Gulls forced a turnover at the Roadrunners’s blue line, creating a three-on-one chance with Smith joining the rush.

The 6’6 defenseman tipped in a one-timer past the Tuscon goaltender for the team’s only goal.

“It was about 12 hours after my season ended in Owen Sound that I got the call up to San Diego,” explained Smith. “It was pretty crazy. I got the call, went home to my billets, packed everything up and drove home to Windsor.”

Smith had signed an amateur tryout on the same day with the club.

“I spent that night with my family and was on a flight out of Detroit at 8:30 a.m,” said Smith. “I landed in San Diego met the staff and team and checked into the hotel. The next day at morning skate was when I found out I was going to be in the lineup that night. It wasn’t expected to be in the lineup that early but I was stoked.”

He won an OHL Championship with the Petes last season and had two assists in 23 playoff games. He also had one more helper in five Memorial Cup games.

Smith was drafted 97th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round, at the 2023 NHL Entry Level Draft in Nashville, Tenn. on June 29.

The Petes originally selected the 209-pound defenseman in the ninth round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection out of the Windsor Jr. Spitfires program.

On Jan. 2, Smith and forward Sam McCue were traded to the Owen Sound Attack in exchange for forward Nico Addy, defenceman Martin Matejicek and a third-round pick in 2026.

“Suiting up for that game and eventually scoring my first AHL goal in the 3rd period was such an unreal feeling,” he explained. “Words can’t even describe my experience so far.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.