Smith’s book was later adapted into the comedy film Goon (2011), starring Seann William Scott in the role based on Smith. A sequel followed, entitled Goon: Last of the Enforcers (2017).

Additionally, Smith is a police officer, currently with the Hanson police department since 1999. Smith is married and helps care for his two young daughters with his wife, Sharon.

Smith’s athletic career started with boxing, which culminated in a split-decision loss in the Massachusetts heavyweight Golden Gloves final in 1984. While training at the Hanover Police Boys’ Club, his friend, Adam Frattasio, encouraged him to try hockey fighting. He first laced up skates at the age of 19, played in amateur leagues at 21, and made his first minor-league hockey team at 24 when he won a championship with the Carolina Thunderbirds of the first-year East Coast Hockey League during the 1988-89 season. Smith went on to play for six other teams in three leagues, his most productive tour being with the Miramichi Gagnon Packers of the New Brunswick Senior Hockey League. Smith received additional invitations to continue playing in the States, particularly to finish out seasons for teams in various lower minor-leagues, but his new job as a police officer in Massachusetts limited his opportunities to participate in sporadic games with the intention of fighting the opponent’s toughest player(s).

Doug Smith (born December 27, 1964) is an American retired minor-league ice hockey player who co-authored a biography about his time spent playing professional hockey, Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey, with Adam Frattasio. Smith’s role on the teams he played for was that of the enforcer, which led the Hanover, Massachusetts, native to average 6.73 penalty minutes per game over his 60-game career.