Jeremy Smith Receives USA Hockey, OHL Awards

Published on June 5, 2007 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Plymouth Whalers News Release


PLYMOUTH - It's been a busy offseason for Plymouth Whalers' goaltender Jeremy Smith.

The Brownstown-native has been named recipient of the USA Hockey's Dave Peterson Goaltender of the Year Award. Smith also shares the Ontario Hockey League's Dave Pinkney Award with fellow goaltender Michal Neuvirth. Smith and Neuvirth teamed up to lead the OHL for the fewest goals allowed in the league this year (173).

Smith - the top-rated North American goaltender for this summer's National Hockey League Entry Draft June 22-23 in Columbus - compiled a 2.59 goals against average and .923 save percentage in 34 games this season for the Whalers, who won their second OHL championship in their 17-year history. Last summer, Smith played for the U.S. Under-18 Select Team in the 2006 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament and appeared in all four games as Team USA won a silver medal.

Plymouth goaltenders have now won the Dave Pickney Award six times, including five straight seasons from 1998-2003. Other Plymouth goaltenders winning the Dave Pinkney Award include Robert Holsinger and Rob Zepp (1998-99); Zepp and Bill Ruggiero (1999-00); Zepp and Paul Drew (2000-01); Jason Bacashihua and Drew (2001-02); Drew and Jeff Weber (2002-03).

Smith spent the last few days in Toronto participating in interviews with NHL's Central Scouting in preparation for the NHL Entry Draft. He handled sharing the Whalers goaltending situation this season with Neuvirth with maturity, especially in the playoffs when Whalers head coach Mike Vellucci decided to go with Neuvirth in most of the games.

"It's tough to sit and watch someone else play," Smith told the Vancouver Province during Plymouth's Memorial Cup run. "Throughout the season we were 50-50 pretty much and we had a lot of success and we went into the playoffs with a lot of steam. Then he (Neuvirth) got hot. I've got nothing against Michal or anything like that.

"Coach told me, it's not me, I didn't do anything to get pulled out, it's Michal playing really well. You've just got to live with that. It just makes you work harder. I'm ready to go whenever the coach gives me the nod."

Vellucci will also be in Toronto this week to receive the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL Coach of the Year - the first American ever voted to the award.

ROOKIE ORIENTATION is SATURDAY: The Whalers will get a jump-start to the 2007-08 season this Saturday when they hold their annual Rookie Orientation Camp at the Compuware Sports Arena. The Blue/White scrimmage will happen at 1:30 p.m. on the Olympic ice. Fans are encouraged to attend and check out future Whalers from the 2006 and 2007 OHL Draft.

FAN APPRECIATION DAY is JUNE 16: Mark your calendar for this fun event. There will be sales at the Whalers Cove, Ginopolis on the Ice Meal and Movie Deals (drive-in movies begin at dusk), a Whalers Collectable Silent Auction, 2007-2008 Season Ticket Seat Selection Sale, Whalers player meet and greet, Whaler Summer Hockey School registration, open skating from 5-7:30 p.m., and a Radio Disney D-tour from 8-9 p.m.

WHALER SIGNINGS CONTINUE: Three Whalers - Neuvirth, Dan Collins, and Evan Brophey - have signed with their NHL teams in the last month. Neuvirth was selected by the Washington Capitals in the 2nd round (34th overall) in the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Collins was selected by the Florida Panthers in the 3rd round (90th overall) in the 2005 NHL Draft. Brophey was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 3rd round (67th overall) in the 2005 NHL Draft. They join James Neal (Dallas Stars), Daniel Ryder (Calgary Flames), Tom Sestito (Columbus Blue Jackets), and Jared Boll (Columbus Blue Jackets) as Whalers who signed with their NHL teams this season.

McGINNIS DEALT to OSHAWA: The Whalers have dealt veteran defenseman Ryan McGinnis to Oshawa for a second round and fourth round draft choice in 2009. McGinnis had his best offensive season with Plymouth last year when he scored 6 goals with 24 assists for 30 points and 78 PIM's in 60 games. In all, McGinnis played in 223 games for the Whalers (13th on the all-time list), scoring 11 goals with 55 assists for 66 points and 337 PIM's. The Whalers have a glut of 1987 birthdays returning and can only play three at one time.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 5, 2007


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