Smith Extends His Time With The Pitbulls

The Drive North Bristol Pitbulls are delighted to announce that Sam Smith has re-signed with the club for the 2026/27 season, extending his stay in Bristol into a fifth season.

Since joining the club, Sam has continued to develop into one of Bristol’s most exciting young talents. An exceptional skater with an impressive all-round skill set, Smith has become a reliable presence in the line-up, using his speed, puck control and hockey IQ to make an impact in every game.

While naturally a defenceman, Sam demonstrated his versatility throughout last season when called upon to move up front, impressing with his offensive instincts and proving he can influence the game wherever he’s needed.

Now entering his fifth full season in Bristol colours, Smith continues to develop both physically and mentally. His commitment to improving during the off-season, including training alongside players within the Cardiff Devils organisation, has helped elevate his game year after year.

As one of the club’s longest-serving players, we believe Sam is ready to take another significant step in his development and establish himself as one of the league’s standout defencemen.

Sam Smith commented :

“I’m delighted to be back for another season with Bristol. This club has been a huge part of my development and I’m excited to continue building on what we’ve started. We have a great group coming together, and I can’t wait to get back on the ice, work hard and do everything I can to help the team have a successful season.”

Richie Hargreaves added :

“It’s going to be a big season for Sam. He’s entering his fifth year with the club now, and I really believe he’s ready to take another step in his development. I’m leaning on him to have a big season because I know exactly what he’s capable of. Sam’s skating is his biggest attribute. He’s an effortless skater and that allows him to influence the game all over the ice. There were moments last season where we pushed him up front, and he certainly didn’t disappoint. He showed he can adapt his game and make a real impact wherever he’s asked to play. He also doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game. He competes hard, finishes his checks and brings an edge, while still possessing a really good skill set. That combination isn’t easy to find, and it’s a big reason why we believe he can continue to develop into a key player for us.
I genuinely believe Sam is more than capable of becoming a mainstay at this level. He’s another year older, another year stronger and continues to put the work in away from the rink. Like a lot of our players, he trains hard throughout the off-season, and having the opportunity to train with the Cardiff Devils only helps raise his level even further. We’re looking to continue building on everything Sam has shown over the last few seasons. I’m excited to see what he can produce this year because I think he’s ready to take that next step and become a really important player for this club.”

Everyone at the Bristol Pitbulls are delighted to welcome Sam back for his fifth season and looks forward to watching his continued development throughout the 2026/27 campaign.