Bucks Re-Sign Rookie of the Year Smith
October 5, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Monday that they have re-signed reigning Rookie of the Year Darryl Smith for the 2009-10 season. The Bucks placed rookie goaltender Dustin Slade on the suspended list to make room for Smith on the training camp roster.
Smith attended NHL training camp with the Atlanta Thrashers, as well as AHL training camp with the Chicago Wolves before making his way back to Laredo.
"This is a big signing for us no doubt. We are very pleased," said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. "He had a great year last year and we expect him to play very well again."
"I'm very happy to be back in Laredo, I'm ready to go," said Smith. "I know the city, the organization, players, staff, I'm very comfortable here."
The 22-year-old Smith had a banner year for the Bucks in 2008-09. In addition to being named Rookie of the Year, Smith was the All-Star Game MVP, All-Rookie team, and Team MVP. Smith put up 70 points (36-34=70) in the regular season, to go along with eight points 5-3=8) in five playoff games. Smith led all CHL rookies in scoring, while his 36 goals were second-most in the entire league.
"We're not sure how long he will stay with us, he has a lot of American League teams looking at him, so we'll see," Ruskowski said.
On December 30th Smith was called up to the AHL's Houston Aeros, the team he attended training camp with last October. The Bucks rookie phenom played four games with the Aeros.
"For right now I'm happy to be with the Bucks, but if something else comes up in a higher league i'll be prepared for that as well.
Smith started off last season with a bang when he scored a hat trick in the Bucks season opening 7-1 rout of Rocky Mountain on October 17th at the LEC.
Smith, from Thorold, Ontario, was named CHL Player of the Week on December 8th, as he picked up nine points (5-4=9) in three games.
The 5'10, 170-pound Smith took home All-Star Game MVP honors in January, when he scored a goal and added an assist as the CHL fell to the host Colorado Eagles 8-4.
The Bucks will open their eighth season in the Gateway City on October 24th at the LEC, with the first 1,000 fans entering the arena receiving a FREE Bucks "Believe in Blue" picture frame. The Bucks will host the 2010 CHL All-Star Game January 13th. For ticket information call 718-BUCK (2825).
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