Nashville, Tenn. (March 18, 2020) - Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/GM David Poile announced today that the team has signed forward Cole Smith to a one-year, two-way deal for the 2020-21 season.

Smith, 24 (10/28/95), recorded a career-high 11 goals and 18 points in 34 games this season with the University of North Dakota, his senior campaign. His 11 goals - including a tally in his final game on March 7 vs. Omaha to help the Fighting Hawks win the NCHC regular-season title - were the fifth-most on his team and helped lead North Dakota to a 26-5-4 record. Smith was a factor on the power play and penalty kill during his senior season - he finished fifth on North Dakota in goals on the man-advantage with three, and he was one of three players on his team to tally a shorthanded goal. The 6-foot-3, 197-pound forward was named an alternate captain by his peers in 2019-20, and he finished his four-year career at North Dakota with 51 points (24g-27a) in 137 games.