Reilly Smith Inks Contract with Dallas Stars
3/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
March 25, 2012
FRISCO, Texas - Miami junior forward Reilly Smith has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars, the franchise announced Sunday, as Smith will forego his senior campaign to start his National Hockey League career. Smith will join the Stars for their upcoming four-game road trip, immediately being added to their NHL roster after Smith's season with Miami came to a close when the RedHawks lost in the NCAA East Regional semifinals March 23.
A captain for the `Hawks in 2011-12, Smith was a third-round selection of Dallas in 2009, being drafted 69th overall. He could see his first NHL action as soon as Monday, March 26 when the Stars play at the Calgary Flames at 9 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest.
"We are excited to have Reilly join our organization after a very successful college career," Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. "We think that Reilly has proven that he has all the characteristics of a player that will succeed at the NHL level."
Smith, one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, finished the season second nationally with 30 goals while his 48 points ranked ninth in the country as he added 18 assists as well. He was voted unanimously to the 2012 All-CCHA First-Team and also landed on the 2012 CCHA All-Tournament Team, his second straight year on each team. The Mimico, Ont., native led the NCAA with eight-game winning goals, which tied a Miami single-season record. He also captured the CCHA goal-scoring title for the second straight year with 18 goals in league play while his +26 rating was second nationally.
The 6-1, 183-pounder had a point in 10 of Miami's last 11 games and totaled 16 points in his last seven games. He notched six multi-goal, six multi-assist and 14 multi-point games on the year, including two hat tricks. Smith was named CCHA Player of the Month twice, CCHA Player of the Week four times and INCH National Player of the Week once while also being named MVP of the Denver Cup Classic.
Smith finishes his career having played in 121 games, totaling 122 points, which ranks 27th all-time at Miami. He scored 66 career goals, which ties for ninth in school history, despite playing just three years. Smith tallied 56 assists as a RedHawk and a +63 rating while his 12 career game-winning goals ties 2011 Hobey Baker Award winner Andy Miele for second in school history.
Should he suit up for the Stars, Smith would become the fourth RedHawk to make his NHL debut this season, joining Carter Camper (Boston Bruins), Miele (Phoenix Coyotes) and Jarod Palmer (Minnesota Wild). He would also then be the sixth Miami player to be active in the NHL along with Dan Boyle (San Jose), Andy Greene (New Jersey), Ryan Jones (Edmonton), Alec Martinez (Los Angeles) and Tommy Wingels (San Jose), and the 17th RedHawk to ink an NHL contract since 2000.
Smith could face former RedHawks soon as after Dallas plays at Calgary, the Stars take on the Edmonton Oilers and Jones March 28 and face the San Jose Sharks, with Boyle and Wingels, March 31. The Hobey Baker Hat Trick (final three) will be announced March 29 while the winner is revealed April 6.
--MURedHawks.com--
