I will never forget my stay at Giants: Smotherman

However, almost as important was his off-ice impact as he quickly became a firm fan favourite at the SSE Arena following a mad-cap overnight dash from Germany to Belfast to make his debut when the Giants found themselves down a few players due to injury.

Smotherman is now set for a new challenge in North America, though the Oregon native insists he will never forget his time in Belfast.

“I was almost moved to tears by some of the messages (I’ve received). I’ve never been embraced by a fan base like that, and to be able to see the impact I was able to have and hear from all of them, it was very emotional to wake up to,” he said.

“I’ve played nearly 1,000 professional games and hands down it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve had. Organisationally we got to win a couple of cups in a short time there, and the relationships I got to build in and around the team are like nothing I’ve ever had in my career.

“I had a number of people I reached out to personally before I made any public announcement, and the response I got from them was amazing.

“Belfast is somewhere I will not be a stranger to. I’m planning on coming back several times for visits.”

Currently back at home with family in Boston, the many unknowns lurking when it comes to Covid-19 forced Smotherman to reflect on his own personal situation. He had a contract with the Giants for next season but, in the end, a lack of clarity on the 202021 Elite League season made his decision for him.

“In all honesty, with the uncertainty in the world and when and if things are going to start — and in general the craziness that’s going on over here — being at home is really important to me,” admitted the former Atlanta Thrashers forward.

“It’s tough. I hadn’t heard anything from the Giants over the summer, not that there was much to report given all the question marks, and it just came to a point where I had to make a decision that was best for me and my family. Not an easy one.

“It was something I talked with my family about a bit, and then just in the end it seemed like being here and being close to home was going to be the way to go.”