Zak Smith is furthering his hockey career this year in Halifax. 

Last year's captain of the Flin Flon Bombers has moved on to Dalhousie University after an impressive senior season of junior hockey. Smith put up nearly a point-per-game in the regular season with 48 points in 50 games and was one point shy of the achievement in the playoffs, as well, with 17 in 18 contests.

One of the biggest challenges Smith will be facing this year is balancing academics and hockey.

"When you're playing junior hockey, school isn't a big factor in it really, unless you're going through high school," Smith continues. "The main focus isn't just on hockey, school is a big part of it, as well. I think through these first couple of months, I've been handling it pretty well, and I'm just getting into a routine now."

The Austin native is going into Arts for his first year of university as he says he never really thought about what he was going to do after hockey, however, he is considering switching his major to management. 

Smith and the Bombers made it all the way to Game 7 of the SJHL Finals last year before falling to the Estevan Bruins. He considered calling it quits after that.

"I had a lot of people reach out, and talk to me about it and say, 'maybe try hockey for another year.' I think that's what I needed, just a little bit of a push," Smith explains. "Getting an education was a big part of it and kind of the main focus because it's something to fall back on. At the same time, I still want to reach the highest level of hockey that I can, and that was a big reason why I chose Dalhousie. They have an unbelievable program here, and I'm happy I made that decision."

The freshman talks about his main reason for continuing his hockey career.

"I hate losing. There's probably no worse feeling than losing Game 7. To this day, I still think about it and say, 'What if?' Like how my life would be different if we would've won," Smith shares. "I think the worst part about it was I was on a team with so many of my best friends growing up. If we would've won, it would've been the greatest feeling in the world but that didn't happen. It fuels a fire. I think after we lost in the finals, I had a lot of uncertainty about my future with hockey. At the same time, it made me think about how lucky I was to be put in that situation."

The forward notes the main difference on the ice is the fact that he is playing against players who are much older and often stronger. Smith feels as though he'll adapt to the pace, and be able to deal with the stronger guys but adds there is going to be a learning curve.

"I've never been to the East Coast, and it's a whole new culture with the accents, the scenery, and the ocean. It's cool to play in places where you haven't played before. We play right in downtown Halifax, and we get to go to PEI, Fredericton, and New Brunswick," says Smith. "When you get to experience new things like that, with a lot of good guys that we have here at Dalhousie, it makes the experience so much better. That was a big reason why I chose this place."

He says he'll be trying to stay in the present as much as possible, while also knowing how much he wants to get back to a championship game in a new situation. Smith and the Dalhousie Tigers will be back on the ice on Friday to take on the University of New Brunswick.

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