AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Penguins acquire D Matt Smith from San Antonio in exchange for RW Brendan Walsh

November 21, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League have acquired defenseman Matt Smith from San Antonio (AHL) in exchange for forward Brendan Walsh, it was announced today by General Manager Craig Patrick.

Smith, 25, started the season with the Rampage, before being reassigned to Laredo of the Central Hockey League on November 2. Smith is scoreless in two games with San Antonio this season and has recorded five points (3+2) and 54 penalty minutes in seven games with the Bucks.

The 6'6', 220-pound native of Kent, England has played the last two seasons with Ilves-Tampere of the Finnish League. Last year, he recorded 10 points (3+7) and 112 penalty minutes in 50 games. During his first season (2000-2001), Smith totaled nine points (4+5) and 154 penalty minutes in 55 games. Overall, in two seasons (2000-2002) with Ilves-Tampere, he recorded 19 points (7+12) and 266 penalty minutes in 105 career games.

Smith played in 57 games with Peoria of the East Coast Hockey League during the 1999-2000 season, recording 26 points (11+15) and 101 penalty minutes. He set career-highs in games played, goals, assists and points.

In 56 career games in the AHL with Worcester (1997-98 and 1998-99) and San Antonio, Smith has recorded 12 points (4+8) and 91 penalty minutes. In 63 career games in the ECHL with Peoria (1998-99 and 1999-2000), he has posted 29 points (11+18) and 107 penalty minutes.

Smith has been assigned today by the Penguins' to their ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers. He will report immediately to the club and is expected to join the Nailers in time for their game tomorrow night game at Toledo (7:30 p.m.).

Walsh, 28, did not appear in a game with the Penguins this season. He was assigned to Atlantic City on October 28 and appeared in six games with the Boardwalk Bullies, recording two assists and 40 penalty minutes. He has been a healthy scratch in the last four games (Nov. 13 vs. Hamilton, Nov. 15-16 at Norfolk and Nov. 20 vs. Hershey) after being recalled by the Penguins from Atlantic City on Nov. 12

Prior to being assigned to Atlantic City, Walsh did not dress in any of the Penguins' first seven games of the 2002-03 season. He missed the first five games due to a league-imposed suspension (October 10-19) and was a healthy scratch in two games (Oct. 25-26).

Walsh split the 2001-02 season between the Penguins and their East Coach Hockey League affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers. He recorded four points (2+2) and 184 penalty minutes in 29 games with the Penguins and collected 22 points (7+15) and 168 penalty minutes in 29 games with the Nailers.

The 5'9" and 190-pound native of Dorchester, Mass. was re-signed by the Penguins to a two-way contract (AHL/ECHL) on September 5, 2002.

Walsh was originally signed by the Minnesota Wild as a free agent on May 16, 2000. He split the 2000-2001 season with Cleveland (IHL) and Jackson (ECHL). Walsh played in 10 games with the Lumberjacks, recording two points (1+1) and 45 penalty minutes. During the playoffs, he was scoreless with 11 penalty minutes in four games. In 25 games with the Bandits, Walsh totaled nine points (3+6) and 179 penalty minutes.

He transferred to the University of Maine (Hockey East) after two seasons (1995-97) with conference rival, Boston University. In two seasons with the Terriers, Walsh recorded 37 penalty minutes (13+24) and 173 penalty minutes in 65 games.

As a junior, he helped the Black Bears defeat Hockey East rival Boston College in the Frozen Four Semifinal, while playing on a fractured kneecap. The knee injury kept him out of the 1999 National Championship game victory against New Hampshire.

After only one season with the Black Bears, Walsh was elected team captain and led the team to a 27-8-5 record during the 1999-2000 season. As a senior, he finished fourth on the team in scoring with 30 points (9 +21) and led the conference in penalty minutes and tied the school's single-season record for penalty minutes in a season with 106 in 39 games.

In two seasons with the Black Bears, Walsh recorded 50 points (16+34) and 164 penalty minutes in 69 games. In 134 collegiate games, he recorded 87 points (29+58) and 337 penalty minutes.

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