The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed veteran defenseman Brendan Smith to a pro tryout contract, the club announced Tuesday.

“Brendan Smith is an experienced, physical blueliner that competes hard and is sound in the defensive zone,” said CBJ general manager Don Waddell. “He is a veteran presence with great character and professionalism, and we are excited to have the opportunity to bring him to camp.”

Smith, 36, has registered 39 goals and 105 assists, as well as 694 in 726 games with the Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings over 14 NHL seasons. He’s added 3-12-15 in 59 contests in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was originally selected by Detroit in the first-round of the 2007 NHL Draft.

A native of Mimico, Ontario, Smith collected 1-5-6 in 32 appearances for the Stars in 2024-25.  He set career highs in hits and blocked shots in 2023-24, finishing with 5-10-15, 117 hits and 101 blocked shots in 63 outings with the Devils in 2023-24.  He made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in 2011-12 and posted 15-52-67 with 281 PIM, 291 hits and 260 blocked shots in 291 contests over six campaigns from 2011-17. 

The 6-2, 200-pound blueliner recorded 27-61-88 in 163 career American Hockey League games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (2010-13) and Hartford Wolf Pack (2017-18).  He played three seasons of college hockey at the University of Wisconsin, from 2007-10, finishing with 26-61-87  in 95 appearances.