The Ottawa Senators have announced that defenseman Jason Smith, a former captain in both Edmonton and Philadelphia, has retired.

Smith was well-loved here in Edmonton, where he spent the bulk of his career and served as captain for six years (2001-07) – becoming the longest serving captain in Oilers history. There was never any question about either his courage or his character, and it was those two attributes that really defined his game. During his career he was one of the NHL’s best shot-blockers and hitters.

Smith led every team he captained on lengthy post-season runs, and won it all at the AHL level after coming back from a severe knee injury that cost him most of the season. Another knee injury cost him the final eighteen games of his final NHL season, and may have played a factor in his retirement.