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Dallas Signs Texas Native Austin Smith to NHL Contract

March 21, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL) Texas Stars

Cedar Park, TX - The Dallas Stars announced on Wednesday that the club signed forward Austin Smith to a two-year entry-level contract. Smith, 23, reported on Tuesday to the Texas Stars under an Amateur Tryout Agreement prior to signing his professional contract, Dallas' primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL), after completing a four-year career at Colgate University.

The 5-11, 180-pound forward from Dallas, TX led the NCAA this season in goals (36) and ranks third in overall scoring with 57 points. He is also one of 10 student-athletes nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I hockey.

"Austin Smith is one of the best young prospects in the NCAA and we are very excited for his future in this organization," Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. "Austin is a tremendously gifted player and is a testament to the growth of hockey in the North Texas area."

Dallas' fifth-round selection (No. 128 overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Smith was born in Dallas and grew up playing hockey in the Dr Pepper StarCenter Youth Hockey system. Smith was the first native Texan drafted by the Dallas Stars organization and attended Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas for his first two years of high school prior to playing for the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League.

During his senior season at Colgate, Smith led the Eastern College Athletic Conference in points (57) and goals (36). He also notched 16 multi-point games and nine multi-goal games during the 2011-12 campaign. Over his four-year career at Colgate, Smith appeared in 153 games, collecting 79 goals and 81 assists for 160 points.

Texas starts a three-game road trip on Friday, March 23rd at Oklahoma City at 7:00 p.m. The Stars then travel to Toronto for a 3:00 p.m. faceoff against the Marlies on Sunday, March 25th. The trip concludes on Tuesday, March 27th at 6:00 p.m. against the Lake Erie Monsters. Texas returns home to face the Hamilton Bulldogs on Thursday, March 29th at 7:30 p.m. Thursday's game is a 3-2-1 night, featuring $3 domestic drafts, $2 sodas, and $1 hot dogs.

Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets are available online at www.TexasStarsHockey.com or by calling 512.GO.STARS (467.8277). 2012-13 season seat packages are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com. Anyone interested in purchasing season tickets, suites, group tickets or mini-plans may call the Texas Stars front office.

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