Small attended Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in St. Catharines.
During his senior year at Holy Cross, he helped lead the Raiders to a provincial championship.
Small played for the St. Catharines Athletics in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League from to 2004 to 2008.
During his 5 years for the Athletics, Small totaled up 127 goals and 278 points in just 102 games.
Small was selected 2nd overall in the 2009 Major Series Lacrosse draft by the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks, just ahead of former Athletics teammate Dan Coates.