Article by Peter Ryan / Photos by James Assinder
Owen Smetham has made a real impact since arriving at the Welsh capital. A player with bags of talent, he has been electrifying every time he steps on the ice. His life and ice hockey are intertwined, a relationship that is forged with passion.
Foundation
Hockey means everything to me. It’s the game I love. I couldn’t imagine my life without it. It’s the one certainty in my life and the thing I could count on - in terms of making friends, but also a game that I learn from and on off the ice. I’ve learned about hard work and dedication, so in a way, it’s become what I’ve centred everything around.
Throughout his life, ice hockey has been a constant in Smetham's life. A game that has instilled steadfast values in his life. Every story starts somewhere. He talks about how he got started.
Before I even played hockey, I learned to skate. It’s at the heart of my game. Hockey has always been around for me, so it's hard to remember when I properly got started, but I do remember my dad taking me to public skating, getting me out on the ice, and helping me build the basics. Then when I was three, I started Timbits Hockey, which is like early years development, learning to play ice hockey. He would get me fully dressed in my gear in the living room and then drive me to the rink at 6am. I will always be thankful for that.
Smetham built on those foundations, and then opportunities arose. In particular, he got the opportunity to sharpen his craft. Smetham did this in Canada.
Canada and Bristol
In Canada, hockey is a lifestyle. Everyone played it, everyone talked about it, everyone knew it. All of my friends played, and I met all of them through the sport. Hockey culture is just the best in Canada, and I have so many memories - It’s my home. The lifestyle really came with family too, with lots of trips out skating on the Canal in Ottawa or getting Tims after being out on the ODR. Rhys and I would play chel or mini sticks, and it brought us together even when we fought as younger brothers.
Hockey wasn’t just a sport for Smetham; it was a way of life. There is no better place to learn the game than Canada. He developed his skills in North America, and then an opportunity came up with the Bristol Pitbulls.
I was so thankful to play in Bristol because it opened the door to playing British hockey. Moving over here, the Pitbulls gave me a new family and community when I barely knew anyone, and I had teammates who made the biggest difference to the whole experience. Obviously, my brother was a staple. He came over the year before me and really set the path for our ambition. But also John Dunbar. He was so influential - he was like a guide to me in both good and bad times.
It must have been a major adjustment moving to the UK for Smetham. He would have an opportunity with the Pitbulls. Now, he calls the Fire home, with true love and admiration for the team in the Welsh capital.
Cardiff
The Fire is a second chance to me. When Rhys and I were classified as imports in the NIHL National League, it was so tough. Hockey could have been taken away from us, and that would have affected me deeply. As I said, it’s part of who I am, so I couldn’t be more thankful for Stevie taking us on and giving us this opportunity. He’s been the best. He’s given me a set of new friends in this team, a new community to connect with in the fans, and all the people behind the scenes, like the media team, who make this organisation such a great environment to be a part of. I suppose the Fire is an outlet for passion. At the end of the day, I want to win and put everything into it.
The Fire has provided Smetham with a strong community of support. He leaves it all out on the ice when he skates out for Cardiff. His future ambitions are clear; give everything to the Fire and the sport of ice hockey.
For the year? Win. Put everything into the game, skate hard, get points, be a good teammate to the boys, and put on a good show for the fans. For the next few years? Keep growing as a player. I always want to keep developing. Past that? Just as my life has always been about hockey, I want that to be the future for my family and the people I surround myself with.
Smetham’s story is sensational; it’s more than just hitting a puck with a stick. It’s a tale of purpose, passion, and love.
