Lightning Recall Defenseman Matt Smaby
March 17, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
TAMPA, FL - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have recalled defenseman Matt Smaby from the Admirals, Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster announced today.
Smaby, 6-foot-5 and 222 pounds, played in 58 games with the Admirals this season, recording one goal and six points. His lone goal was a game-winner and he has registered 38 shots on goal. Prior to the recall, Smaby had appeared in 48 consecutive games with Norfolk - the longest such stretch on the team this season.
Smaby made his NHL debut with the Lightning on October 4 against the New Jersey Devils. He has played in four games with Tampa Bay this season and recorded four penalty minutes with one shot on goal. He made his AHL debut in 2006-07 with Springfield and played in 66 games, tallying two goals and 16 points. In 124 career AHL games, Smaby has three goals and 19 assists with 109 penalty minutes.
The 23-year-old Minneapolis, Minnesota native captained the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux team that reached the NCAA Frozen Four in consecutive seasons (2004-05, 2005-06). As a junior, Smaby skated in 45 games with the Sioux in 2005-06, scoring four goals and dishing out 15 assists. He was tied for third on the team in plus/minus rating with a plus-20 rating. Smaby was also one of three Sioux to be named to the All-WCHA Third Team.
A three-year letterman, Smaby scored six goals and recorded 29 assists in 128 career games at North Dakota. He ranked second on the team in penalty minutes in 2004-05 with 86. He also led all UND rookie defensemen in games played during the 2003-04 season.
The Lightning selected Smaby in the second round, 41st overall, at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
The Admirals will continue an eight-game homestand on Wednesday when they entertain the Providence Bruins for a 7:15 tilt. Wednesday night is also Baxter's College Night. Students with a valid, current college ID can receive $8 tickets and discounted food at Baxter's Sports Lounge for Wednesday night games throughout the season. Limited tickets are available only at the Scope Box Office. For more details, visit norfolkadmirals.com.
To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase Admirals season tickets, ten packs or group tickets, please stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope or call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2008
- Aeros drop St. Patrick's Day game to Flames 4-2 - Houston Aeros
- Rivermen Gear On Sale Now! - Peoria Rivermen
- Griffins Aim For Third Straight Wednesday Win Over Toronto - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Rivermen Community Calendar - Peoria Rivermen
- Homestand Continues With Quad City - Houston Aeros
- River Rats Weekly - Albany River Rats
- After a six-game slide, the 'Dogs look to regroup this week with three North Division tilts - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Thrashers Summon Valabik From Wolves - Chicago Wolves
- Monarchs Released Baier - Manchester Monarchs
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- Bruins First To Clinch 2008 Playoff Birth - AHL
- Lowell Devils Weekly - Albany Devils
- Admirals Set To Continue Homestand - Norfolk Admirals
- Admirals Announce Family Fun Packs For March 28 - Norfolk Admirals
- Amerks Close Out Road Trip, Return Home This Week - Rochester Americans
- Clay Wilson Named Rbk/AHL Player Of The Week - Syracuse Crunch
- Hamilton Recalled To Carolina - Albany River Rats
- Stars Weekly - Iowa Chops
- Crunch's Wilson Named Rbk/AHL Player Of The Week - AHL
- Wolf Pack Weekly - Connecticut Whale
- Leigh Baldwin âFun Days At The Crunch' Program Continues March 22 - Syracuse Crunch
- Canucks Recall McIver - Manitoba Moose
- Monsters Sign Parma Native Tom Fritsche - Cleveland Monsters
- Moose Make It Six In Week 23 - Manitoba Moose
- Crunch Announce Details Of Dick's Sporting Goods âBuy One, Get One Free' Promotion Set For March 19 - Syracuse Crunch
- Corey Crawford Assigned To Rockford - Rockford IceHogs
- Hog Talk Tonight At Cousins Bar And Grill - Rockford IceHogs
- Split In Houston Keeps Hogs Jammed In The West - Rockford IceHogs
- Rivermen Weekly - Peoria Rivermen
- Helm and Ritola Return From Detroit - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Sharks Continue Four Game Home Stand with Three Games this Week - Worcester Sharks
- Admirals Winning Streak Hits Six - Milwaukee Admirals
- Lightning Recall Defenseman Matt Smaby - Norfolk Admirals
- 'Canes Reassign Dwyer To Albany - Albany River Rats
- Monarchs Report - Manchester Monarchs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
