CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools has turned to the Chicago Blackhawks, sort of, to promote its Back to School public awareness campaign.
Blackhawks right wing Ben Smith, who appeared in one regular-season game and one playoff game for Chicago in 2013, was part of a CPS public service announcement video that was unveiled Tuesday.
Smith spent most of his time this season in Rockford, the Blackhawks' affiliate in the American Hockey League.
For the Hawks, Smith scored a goal in his one regular-season game, and he played for about 10 minutes in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Boston as a last-minute replacement.
Smith notes in the PSA that school starts before Labor Day this year — Aug. 26 to be specific.
"Let's start the year off strong and make sure everybody's in school on time this year," Smith said in the video, which lasts 37 seconds.
In July, Smith brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown of Avon, Conn. He graduated from Westminster School in nearby Simsbury, Conn.