Smith played his junior hockey for the Ottawa 67's and scored an impressive 52 goals in the 1972–73 campaign.

He spent three seasons with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League including a playoff effort in 1975 where he scored seven goals in eleven games.

Smith broke out in the 1979–80 season when he recorded career high 24 goals to go with 39 assists.

On December 2, 1981, Smith was part of a blockbuster trade[1] that sent him to the Detroit Red Wings, along with Danny Gare and Jim Schoenfeld, in exchange for Dale McCourt, Mike Foligno and Brent Peterson.

Smith still resides in the Western New York area and is an active member of the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association.