He resigned in October 2022, amid calls for leadership change due to the Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal.
[1][7] Smith's management and marketing of international events was cited by the Stanford Graduate School of Business as a reason for the growth of Hockey Canada.
[5][9] As of 2018, First Shift helped 15,500 Canadian children play hockey, and made its debut in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
[18] The change created a higher public profile for Smith, while he continued to oversee regular business operations.
[5][19] He also believed that Hockey Canada's existing coaching, officiating, and respect in sport programs are top notch.
[9] He also began a floorball program, and distributing children's literature to reach out to newer Canadians and ethnic communities, in attempt to have hockey teams reflect the multiculturalism in Canada.
[21][22] Ticket sales in Montreal struggled, despite prices being lowered by 30% in 2017 compared to 2015, and a marketing change to sell more individual games, and fewer package deals.
[20][21][22] Despite the poor attendance, Hockey Canada achieved 80% of its goal of $21 million in ticket sales, to reinvest into the community and the participating teams.
[23] The deal included a set donation per goal scored by teams at those events, which is reinvested in the host communities as a legacy program.
[6] In 2018, Smith extended the partnership with Bauer Hockey for another eight years, who have been the official equipment supplier for the national teams since 1996.
[24] On July 1, 2022, Smith succeeded Renney as chief executive officer of Hockey Canada while retaining the position of president.
Smith stated that Hockey Canada paid CA$8,900,000 to settle 21 cases of alleged sexual assault since 1989, including the use of a fund supplied by player registration fees.
[26] Amid calls for leadership change due to the scandal, the board of directors and Smith resigned from Hockey Canada on October 11, 2022.