Smith proud to be part of black hockey history

The NHL is celebrating Black History Month in February. Throughout the month, NHL.com will be featuring people of color who have made or are looking to make their mark in the hockey world. Today, we look at Givani Smith, a top prospect for the Detroit Red Wings.

Givani Smith loves being a part of black hockey history.
The 21-year-old Detroit Red Wings rookie forward is elated that items of his are part of a Black History Month display at Little Caesars Arena along with memorabilia from defensemen Trevor Daley and Madison Bowey, the team's other black players.
RELATED: [Complete Black History Month Coverage]
Smith's first Red Wings goal puck, his jersey and stick and some of the outfit he wore when he was selected at the 2016 NHL Draft are in a glass-enclosed showcase, along with the two Stanley Cup rings Daley won as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins and game-used equipment from Bowey, a member of the 2018 Washington Capitals Stanley Cup-winning team.
"It's really cool. It's all so surreal," Smith said. "Having my articles in the room showcased and fans having a chance to see that, to me it means that the struggles and everything I had to go through to get here are recognized. It's nice to be obviously recognized for my hard work and what I do out here."
Smith has split his season between the Red Wings and Grand Rapids, Detroit's affiliate in the American Hockey League. He has three points (two goals, one assist) in 21 games for Detroit and 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 27 games with Grand Rapids.

The Toronto native was chosen in the second round (No. 46) of the 2016 draft after playing for Guelph and Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League, where he had 135 points (73 goals, 62 assists) in 236 games.
Smith gained notoriety in the OHL for being a net-front presence power forward in the mold of New Jersey Devils forward Wayne Simmonds. He drew unwelcome attention from so-called fans when he was racially targeted during a 2018 playoff series between Kitchener and Sault Ste. Marie, but draws on that unpleasant experience to tell youth groups and others in Detroit or Grand Rapids not to let anything discourage them and that hockey is indeed for everyone.
"Just trying to be a public speaker and someone that they can look up to, young kids, especially young black kids playing hockey, that I can reach out to and kind of relate the story to them," he said.
Smith said he's fortunate to have a good hockey support system to rely on. His older brother, Gemel Smith, is a forward in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. He also has Daley and Bowey as teammates.
"It makes me feel a bit more comfortable," Smith said. "Having that comfortability makes it nicer."
Smith discussed hockey, his career and upbringing as part of the NHL's celebration of Black History Month.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
"It's a huge month to catch up on what's happened through the years, why we've gone where we are today. It's nice to have this month to recognize what's going on and what happened to our ancestors."
What life lessons did your family instill in you, and how do you apply them to hockey?
"My parents instilled in me hard work, especially me being a person of color. You have to be the hardest-working person out there. Because of my skin tone, I get looked upon a certain way, and you have to work even harder sometimes. It's the adversity I have to go through being a black kid, especially me playing a hockey, a sport that's predominantly white. There are some people out there who don't always want to see a kid like me go ahead. But you have to work extra hard."

How did you handle being racially targeted in junior hockey in 2018?
"Just to respond in a positive way, a professional way about it. Not everyone is like that, and it doesn't happen every day. [You] kind of pay no mind to it. Luckily, they (teammates, staff, family) were protecting me and had my back in the situation. I felt comfortable what was going on because of the support. But I learned just to be professional about it, to be the bigger person, not to retaliate or make the situation even bigger."
What is it like having Trevor Daley and Madison Bowey as teammates in Detroit?
"It makes me feel a bit more comfortable. Trevor, (we) grew up in the same neighborhood, same area. We have the same background and everything. Trevor's been around for quite some time now. He's just a leader. He's welcoming, he brings guys in, he talks to young guys, he makes everyone feel involved."
Your older brother (Gemel Smith) plays in the Lightning organization. How has he helped you?
"It means a lot. He guided me through the whole process. His advice was really crucial for me, beneficial."
Gemel recently spoke publicly about his battle with depression. How did that make you feel?
"I was really proud. The fact that he got his message across that for athletes like myself and athletes playing other sports, it's OK to speak about it and get help for it because everyone goes through it. I'm happy that Gemel decided to get the message across.
You had a huge entourage on draft day. Why such a big crowd?
"I didn't get here alone. That was kind of me acknowledging the fact that I appreciate every single person who helped me get to where I'm at now and where I got to at that moment at the draft. It was my way of saying 'thank you.'"