Devante Smith-Pelly
A power forward whose physical, relentless playing style culminated in a crucial role during a historic Stanley Cup run.
Born 1992 (age 34)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: June 14·Millennials
Biography
Devante Smith-Pelly built his hockey career on a simple, punishing premise: use his formidable strength to win puck battles and create space. Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks, he embodied the classic power forward archetype, forechecking with menace and contributing timely goals. His journey saw him bounce between several NHL teams, often finding himself as a valuable depth piece appreciated for his playoff-ready grit. The pinnacle came with the Washington Capitals in 2018. Inserted into the lineup for his postseason toughness, Smith-Pelly delivered beyond expectation, scoring seven playoff goals—a personal best that included critical tallies in the Stanley Cup Final against Vegas. In that championship moment, his hard-nosed, blue-collar game perfectly complemented his team's stars, etching his name on the Cup as a testament to role players' vital importance.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Devante was born in 1992, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Devante Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Devante's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- He won the Stanley Cup in 2018 as a member of the Washington Capitals.
- He scored seven goals during the Capitals' 2018 playoff run, including key goals in the Stanley Cup Final.
- He was selected 42nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Did You Know?
He is of Jamaican descent, a relatively rare background in professional ice hockey.
During the Capitals' 2018 Stanley Cup celebration, he famously drank beer from the Cup while riding a scooter.
He played junior hockey for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors in the Ontario Hockey League.
“My game is simple: get the puck deep and go to work.”
