Twin Earns Distinction
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Evan and Mitchell Smith, the first twins to skate together for the Yale Men's Hockey Team, have been teammates and often line mates since the two forwards started organized play. Their current teammates have added a new twist to the twins' story by voting Evan the captain of the 2019-20 team.
"I am honored to be voted captain, especially considering each and every one of my classmates is a fantastic leader," said Smith, who captained multiple teams before coming to New Haven. "Our goal is to create a great team environment and create the hardest working team there is because that's what makes championship teams."
Smith, a 6-foot, 190-pound forward who learned of the voting results Monday afternoon, has had some big nights over his 96-game career that includes 19 goals and 42 points. He became the first Eli since U.S. Olympian Brian O'Neill in 2012 to score four goals in a game when he helped his team beat Princeton on Feb. 10, 2018. Smith accomplished that with just five shots.
Yale's new captain, who scored his first collegiate goal at the XL Center against UConn on Jan. 7, 2017, led all rookies in goals and points that season. He has had steady production since then.
"Evan is a great choice for our team captain. He is a winner, he understands the commitment it takes to be successful in an extremely competitive environment, and he knows how to lead," said Keith Allain '80, Yale's Malcolm G. Chace Head Coach. "Additionally, he has a strong senior class beside him determined to set and model standards that will take our team to the next level."
Smith, a mechanical engineering major and academic All-ECAC selection, lives with Mitchell off campus, though they are both members of Benjamin Franklin College. They won a pair of New England Championships together at Salisbury School before making the finals of the USHL Clark Cup as teammates on the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
The brothers from Stouffville, Ontario, are identical twins, which presents identification problems for teammates and friends. Evan is an inch taller and five pounds heavier, but neither of those facts are very noticeable. There is, however, one thing that helps everyone solve the mystery. They wear jerseys No. 13 (Evan) and 14 (Mitchell), so the t-shirts, jackets and sweat pants all include uniform numbers.
We just have to continue to hope they don't share clothing. If we still can't tell them apart, that's ok because we know they are two of nine rising seniors committed to bringing championship-caliber hockey back to Ingalls Rink.
Contact: Steve Conn, Yale Athletics Communications – steven.conn@yale.edu
