Casey DeSmith (born August 13, 1991) is an American professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...
for the
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...
of the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
(NHL). He holds the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (sometimes known as the WBS Penguins) are a professional ice hockey team based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Pengui ...
record for most saves in a playoff game. DeSmith was named to the AHL's 2016–17 All-Rookie Team and was a co-recipient of the 2017
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award.
Undrafted and regarded as undersized for a goaltender, he signed with the
Wheeling Nailers
The Wheeling Nailers are a professional ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey Lea ...
, the
ECHL
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The ...
affiliate of the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
, in 2015 after his college career at the
University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university with its main campus in Durham, New Hampshire, United States. It was founded and incorporated in 1866 as a land grant coll ...
was halted due to legal problems. After performing well both in Wheeling and while being loaned to the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins later that season, he earned a promotion by signing an AHL contract in the summer of 2016.
After recording a league-best statistical performance
2016–17 AHL season
The 2016–17 AHL season was the 81st season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began on October 14, 2016, and ended on April 15, 2017. The 2017 Calder Cup playoffs began on April 20, 2017.
Regular season
The AHL had a slight ali ...
, he signed a contract with Pittsburgh in July 2017, where he would play for the NHL squad for five of the next six seasons. DeSmith at first competed with
Tristan Jarry
Tristan Raymond Jarry (born April 29, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Jarry was selected by the Penguins in the second round (44th overall) of the 2013 NHL ...
and
Matt Murray for NHL playing time; he spent the 2019–20 season in the AHL. He became a permanent part of the Penguins' goaltender rotation after Murray was traded in 2020. After being involved in two trades in the 2023 off-season, DeSmith played with the
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
in the
2023–24 season, signing with the Stars after the conclusion of his contract.
Playing career
Junior
DeSmith played
junior hockey
Junior ice hockey is amateur-level ice hockey for 16 to 20 year-old players. National Junior teams compete annually for the IIHF World Junior Championship. The United States men's national junior ice hockey team are the defending champions from t ...
in the
NEPSAC
The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) is an organization that serves as the governing body for sports in preparatory schools and leagues in New England. The organization has 169 full member schools as well as 24 associate ...
league for
Berwick Academy from 2006 to 2008. After one season with
Deerfield Academy
Deerfield Academy (often called Deerfield or DA) is an Independent school, independent College-preparatory school, college-preparatory boarding and day school in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 1797, it is one of the oldest secondary schoo ...
, he joined the
Indiana Ice
The Indiana Ice was a Tier I junior ice hockey team and member club of the United States Hockey League (USHL) that was formed in 2004 when the Danville Wings were purchased and moved from their location in Danville, Illinois, to Indianapolis, ...
of the
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consists of 16 active teams located in the Midwestern United States and Great Plains, for players between the ages of 16 and 21. Th ...
, where he earned a 0.911 save percentage, a 2.80
GAA
Gaa may refer to:
* Gaa language, a language of Nigeria
* gaa, the ISO 639 code for the Ga language of Ghana
GAA may stand for:
Compounds
* Glacial (water-free), acetic acid
* Acid alpha-glucosidase, also known as glucosidase, alpha; acid, an e ...
, and three shutouts in 64 regular season games.
College
DeSmith studied business at the
University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university with its main campus in Durham, New Hampshire, United States. It was founded and incorporated in 1866 as a land grant coll ...
, where he played hockey for the
Wildcats
The wildcat is a species complex comprising two small wild cat species: the European wildcat (''Felis silvestris'') and the African wildcat (''F. lybica''). The European wildcat inhabits forests in Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus, while th ...
from 2011 to 2014. In his first season, he compiled a 9–10–1 overall record. He earned his first college career shutout on January 11, 2011. At the end of his first season, DeSmith had a 2.33
goals against average
Goals against average (GAA), also known as average goals against (AGA), is a statistic used in field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and water polo that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender or goalkeeper (depending on spo ...
while earning a .926
save percentage
Save percentage (often known by such symbols as SV%, SVS%, SVP, PCT) is a statistic in various Goal (sports), goal-scoring sports that track Save (goaltender), saves as a statistic.
In ice hockey and lacrosse and association football, it is a sta ...
. He recorded 30 or more saves on 10 separate occasions throughout the regular season. DeSmith was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week for the week of January 11, and Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week for the week of February 6. He was also twice honored as the Service Credit Union Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of February 13, and for the week of March 5. He had a career-high 50 saves in the
Hockey East
The Hockey East Association, also known as Hockey East, is a college ice hockey conference which operates entirely in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference.
Hockey East came into existence in 1984 for ...
quarterfinals against
Boston University
Boston University (BU) is a Private university, private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. BU was founded in 1839 by a group of Boston Methodism, Methodists with its original campus in Newbury (town), Vermont, Newbur ...
on March 11, 2012. At the end of the
2011–12 season DeSmith was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie team.
Arrest and expulsion from ice hockey
In September 2014, DeSmith was arrested for
assault
In the terminology of law, an assault is the act of causing physical harm or consent, unwanted physical contact to another person, or, in some legal definitions, the threat or attempt to do so. It is both a crime and a tort and, therefore, may ...
ing a woman who either was or had formerly been his girlfriend. He was suspended from the University of New Hampshire team immediately after his arrest, and he eventually was permanently dismissed.
DeSmith accepted a
plea bargain A plea bargain, also known as a plea agreement or plea deal, is a legal arrangement in criminal law where the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to a charge in exchange for concessions from the prosecutor. These concessions can include a ...
on December 4, 2014. He pleaded not guilty to all charges against him (including
domestic abuse
Domestic violence is violence that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. In a broader sense, abuse including nonphysical abuse in such settings is called domestic abuse. The term "domestic violence" is often use ...
) with the exception of a single count of
disorderly conduct
Disorderly conduct is a crime in most jurisdictions, such as the United States and China. Typically, "disorderly conduct" is a term used to refer to any behavior that is considered unacceptable in a formal, civilized or controlled environment. ...
. Under New Hampshire law, "disorderly conduct" is considered a violation rather than a misdemeanor.
He was sentenced to a $124 fine and 12 months of
probation
Probation in criminal law is a period of supervision over an offence (law), offender, ordered by the court often in lieu of incarceration. In some jurisdictions, the term ''probation'' applies only to community sentences (alternatives to incar ...
.
He also signed a diversion agreement that included community service, which would lead to all charges being formally dismissed after 12 months. DeSmith met the terms of his plea bargain and stayed out of further trouble. He was never reinstated as a player for the Wildcats, although he continued to be enrolled as a student, and he did not play anywhere else all season.
DeSmith applied for a waiver transfer, so he could play for another school, but the
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...
denied his request. According to DeSmith, several other schools were interested in him.
Professional
Minor leagues (2015–2017)
On June 30, 2015, DeSmith signed a contract for the
2015–16 season with an
ECHL
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The ...
team, the
Wheeling Nailers
The Wheeling Nailers are a professional ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey Lea ...
, after the NCAA denied a transfer waiver to play a senior season of college ice hockey. He would have been ineligible to play college ice hockey after the 2015–16 season, because the NCAA normally only allows student-athletes five academic years to use up their standard four seasons of eligibility. DeSmith would appear in just 13 games with the Nailers' 2015–16 Eastern Conference championship team, posting a 5–2–2 record, a 2.55 goals against average, and a .915 save percentage.
On January 3, 2016, DeSmith was loaned to the Nailers'
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
(AHL) affiliate, the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (sometimes known as the WBS Penguins) are a professional ice hockey team based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Pengui ...
. He played his first game for the WBS Penguins on December 26, 2015, against the
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears are a professional ice hockey team based in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Bears have played in the American Hockey League (AHL) since the 1938–39 season, making it the longest continuously operating member club of the league still ...
, stopping all seven shots he faced during his 20 minutes of play. He earned his first win in his first career AHL start on January 3, against the
Hartford Wolf Pack
The Hartford Wolf Pack are a professional ice hockey team based in Hartford, Connecticut. A member of the American Hockey League (AHL), they play their home games at the PeoplesBank Arena. The team was established in 1926 as the Providence Reds. ...
, stopping 22 of 24 shots. He got his first shutout on April 1, 2017, making twenty-six saves against the
Lehigh Valley Phantoms
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are a professional ice hockey team based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The team competes in the American Hockey League (AHL) and serves as the primary development team for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey Le ...
.
DeSmith started the three final games of the
2015–16 AHL season
The 2015–16 AHL season was the 80th season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began on October 9, 2015, and ended on April 17, 2016. The 2016 Calder Cup playoffs follow the conclusion of the regular season. An attendance record ...
. He won all three games with a .950 save percentage. DeSmith won his first professional playoff game during the
2016 Calder Cup playoffs
The 2016 Calder Cup playoffs were held from April 20 to June 11, 2016, to determine the season champion of the American Hockey League (AHL). The 16 teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-five series in the division sem ...
on April 20, 2016, against the
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Providence, Rhode Island. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). They play at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Hi ...
. Three days later, he set a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton record for most saves in a playoff game facing 59 shots. The double overtime win clinched the Penguins' fourth division crown as the top-ranked team in the Eastern Conference. However, the Penguins would ultimately fall to the Hershey Bears.
On July 5, 2016, DeSmith signed a contract directly with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He would play in 29 games for the WBS Penguins during the
2016–17 season. He finished the regular season at the top of the AHL with a 2.01 goals against average and a .926 save percentage. DeSmith started all five playoff games for the Penguins after partner
Tristan Jarry
Tristan Raymond Jarry (born April 29, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Jarry was selected by the Penguins in the second round (44th overall) of the 2013 NHL ...
was called up to the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
during the
2017 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs was the Stanley Cup playoffs, playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 2016–17 NHL season, 2016–17 regular season. They began on April 12, 2017, after the regular season, and they concluded ...
. He and Jarry would end the season as the best goaltending tandem in the AHL. The duo was awarded the 2017
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award, for the goaltenders of an AHL team with the lowest goals against average. DeSmith was voted to the AHL's 2016–17 All-Rookie Team, along with teammate
Jake Guentzel
Jake Allen Guentzel (born October 6, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey Winger (ice hockey), left winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round, 77th overall, by the Pittsburg ...
. After the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton season ended, DeSmith returned to Pittsburgh and served as a "Black Ace" during the Pittsburgh Penguins'
2017 Stanley Cup run.
Pittsburgh Penguins

On July 1, 2017, DeSmith signed a one-year, two-way contract with the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
. He started the
2017–18 AHL season
The 2017–18 AHL season was the 82nd season of the American Hockey League. The regular season ran from October 6, 2017, to April 15, 2018. The 2018 Calder Cup playoffs followed the conclusion of the regular season. The Toronto Marlies won thei ...
with a 3–0 record with a .980 goals against average, a .965 save percentage, and one shutout. He ranked second in the AHL in goal-against average and third in save percentage. On October 23, 2017, executive vice president and general manager
Jim Rutherford
James Earl Rutherford (born February 17, 1949) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and executive. He is the president of hockey operations of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Prior to his position wi ...
announced that Pittsburgh had recalled DeSmith from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He played in his first NHL game on October 29, against the
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...
after head coach
Mike Sullivan pulled starting goaltender
Matt Murray in the first period. In doing so, he became the 62nd former Nailer/Thunderbird to reach the NHL and the first member of the 2015–16 Eastern Conference championship team to reach the NHL. In his first NHL game DeSmith made 12 saves in a little over 40 minutes of play. On October 30, he was re-assigned back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. DeSmith was recalled on November 28, to play backup to Tristan Jarry after starting goaltender Matt Murray was injured. In a game against the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
on December 9, he filled in for Jarry in the second period marking his second NHL appearance. Despite his efforts, the Penguins ended up losing 4–3. He was re-assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins a game later as Murray was activated from
injured reserve
The injured reserve list ( IR list) is a designation used in North American professional sports leagues for athletes who suffer injuries and become unable to play. The exact name of the list varies by league; it is known as "injured reserve" in ...
.
DeSmith was again recalled to Pittsburgh on January 12, 2018. On January 18, DeSmith made his first NHL start and earned his first NHL win, stopping 28 of 29 shots in a 3–1 win over the
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...
. Despite his success, he was re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on February 4. On February 26, Pittsburgh recalled DeSmith, once again switching with Jarry for the backup goaltender position. He recorded his first NHL career shutout on April 6, to help the Penguins clinch home ice advantage for Game 1 of the
2018 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 2017–18 season. The playoffs began on April 11, 2018, after the regular season, and they concluded on June 7, 2018, with the Washington Capi ...
.
During the
2018–19 season, having established himself in the backup role for the Penguins, DeSmith was signed to a three-year, $3.75 million contract extension with Pittsburgh on January 11, 2019.
DeSmith was sent back to Wilkes-Barre at the beginning of the
2019–20 season, because the Penguins preferred to keep Jarry on the roster as the backup goaltender. The Penguins wanted to call up DeSmith on January 4, 2020. However, the game that night was at Montreal, and DeSmith was unable to travel to Canada because he had misplaced his
passport
A passport is an official travel document issued by a government that certifies a person's identity and nationality for international travel. A passport allows its bearer to enter and temporarily reside in a foreign country, access local aid ...
.
Emil Larmi was called up from the
ECHL
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The ...
's
Wheeling Nailers
The Wheeling Nailers are a professional ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey Lea ...
instead.
In the
2020–21 season, which was shortened by the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, DeSmith served as full-time backup to Jarry for the Penguins, compiling an 11–7–0 record in starts with a .912 save percentage. The
following season, he had an 11–6–5 record during the regular season with an .914 save percentage. DeSmith found himself in the spotlight when Jarry injured his foot shortly before the beginning of the
2022 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 2021–22 season. The playoffs began on May 2, 2022, one day after the regular season ended, and concluded on June 26, 2022, with the Colorado ...
, elevating him to the starting goaltender position. In his first NHL playoff start in Game 1 of the first round series against the
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
, DeSmith made 48 saves on 51 shots in the course of regulation time and two periods of overtime. Midway through double overtime he was forced to exit the game, ceding the net to
Louis Domingue
Louis Boileau-Domingue (born March 6, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Domingu ...
. Days later, it was announced that DeSmith had required core muscle surgery and would miss the remainder of the playoffs.
On July 5, 2022, the Penguins re-signed DeSmith to a two-year, $3.6 million contract.
Vancouver Canucks
On August 6, 2023, DeSmith was traded to the
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
as part of a three-team trade also involving the
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...
. Shortly thereafter, he was dealt once again on September 19, to the
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
in exchange for
Tanner Pearson
Tanner Pearson (born August 10, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey Winger (ice hockey), winger for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 30th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings ...
and a
2025
So far, the year has seen the continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudanese civil war, and the Gaza war. Internal crises in Bangladesh post-resignation v ...
third-round pick.
Dallas Stars
On July 1, 2024, DeSmith signed a three-year, $3 million contract with the
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...
.
Records
* Most saves in an AHL playoff game (59), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
International
Awards and honors
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:DeSmith, Casey
1991 births
Living people
American men's ice hockey goaltenders
Dallas Stars players
Ice hockey people from New Hampshire
Indiana Ice players
New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey players
People from Rochester, New Hampshire
Pittsburgh Penguins players
Sportspeople from Strafford County, New Hampshire
Vancouver Canucks players
Undrafted National Hockey League players
Wheeling Nailers players
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins players
21st-century American sportsmen