Dhane Smith

Dhane SmithFrom Kitchener Playgrounds to One of Lacrosse's Greatest Playmakers
Position: Forward
Shoots: Right
Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario
Current MSL Team: Six Nations Chiefs
NLL Team: Buffalo Bandits

From Kitchener to the Top of the Lacrosse World

There are great scorers, there are great passers, and then there are players who redefine what is possible. Dhane Smith belongs in that last category.

Growing up in Kitchener, Ontario, Smith developed into a gifted multi-sport athlete, excelling not only in lacrosse but also in football, where he starred as a quarterback. His athleticism was obvious from an early age, but it was his vision, creativity, and ability to make everyone around him better that would eventually separate him from his peers.

Today, Smith is regarded as one of the greatest offensive players of his generation. Whether wearing the colours of the Buffalo Bandits, Team Canada, or the Six Nations Chiefs, he has built a reputation as a player capable of taking over a game with either his scoring touch or his uncanny ability to create opportunities for teammates.

Early Years

Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Smith was introduced to lacrosse at a young age while also playing hockey and football. His competitive nature and natural athletic ability quickly became apparent, and by his teenage years he was recognized as one of Ontario's elite young talents. He later became known as one of the sport's premier multi-sport athletes before focusing fully on lacrosse.

Junior Career

Smith developed through Ontario's Junior A ranks with the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves, where his elite offensive instincts became impossible to ignore.

By the end of his junior career, he had established himself as one of the top prospects in Canada, combining an exceptional scoring touch with vision that allowed him to make passes few players even attempt.

National Lacrosse League

The Buffalo Bandits selected Smith 5th overall in the 2012 NLL Entry Draft, beginning what has become one of the greatest careers in league history. 

His accomplishments include:
•  Two-time NLL Most Valuable Player 
•  Three-time NLL Champion 
•  NLL Finals MVP 
•  Multiple First Team All-League selections 
•  Buffalo Bandits franchise records 
•  NLL single-season records for goals, assists, and points during his remarkable career

What separates Smith isn't simply his statistics. His ability to anticipate plays before they develop has made him arguably the finest playmaker of his era.

Major Series Lacrosse

Smith has brought that same elite skill set to Major Series Lacrosse, where he has become a cornerstone of the Six Nations Chiefs.

Surrounded by some of the game's biggest stars, Smith has continued to elevate those around him while pursuing Mann Cup championships. His combination of leadership, offensive creativity, and championship experience has made him one of the league's marquee attractions.

International Career

Representing Team Canada, Smith has won multiple World Indoor Lacrosse Championship gold medals while continuing to establish himself among the best players in international competition.

By the Numbers

• Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario 
• Position: Forward 
• Shoots: Right 
• Junior: Kitchener-Waterloo Braves 
• NLL Draft: 5th Overall (2012) 
• NLL Team: Buffalo Bandits 
• MSL Team: Six Nations Chiefs 
• International: Team Canada 
• NLL MVP Awards: 2 
• NLL Championships: 3 
• World Indoor Championships: Multiple Gold Medals

Gary Groob's Take

I've been fortunate to watch some remarkable offensive players over the years, but Dhane Smith is different. His statistics are extraordinary, yet they don't fully capture what makes him special. What impresses me most is how effortlessly he controls the pace of a game. Defenders know he's capable of scoring from anywhere, but his greatest weapon might be his vision. He sees passing lanes before they exist, drawing defenders toward him before threading a pass through the smallest opening.

The best players make difficult plays look routine, and that's exactly what Smith has done throughout his career. He's not just one of the stars of Major Series Lacrosse—he's one of the defining players of this generation, and his influence on the game will be felt for years to come.

— Gary Groob