Salmon Kings Sign Veteran Fillion and Defenseman Smith

Published on July 15, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, announced today that the team has signed veteran centre Olivier Filion and defenseman Rob Smith for the 2009-10 season.

Filion will begin his second season with the Salmon Kings after playing in 69 games for Victoria last season where he compiled 52 points (12g-40a) with 89 minutes in penalties. During the Kelly Cup Playoffs he potted 7 points (3g-4a) in nine games. He began the year in France with ASG Tours Diables Noir playing in 9 games collecting four goals and five assists for nine points in nine games.

"Olivier is one of the best two-way players in the ECHL," General Manager and Head Coach Mark Morrison said. "He competes hard every shift and is a great leader."

Before joining Victoria the Montreal, QC native played four seasons in Alaska. For his Aces' career he participated in 277 regular season games collecting 208 points (69g-139a) and picking up 246 minutes in penalties. In 60 career Kelly Cup playoff games with Alaska, Filion has notched 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points. He was also a member of the Aces 2005-06 Championship team.

His professional career began in the UHL with the Richmond Riverdogs during the 2003-04 season. He contributed nine goals and 23 assists for 32 points in 66 contests.

Filion spent his four-year junior career in the QJMHL with the Acadie-Bathhurst Titan. For his junior career he played in 276 games counting 96 goals and 209 assists while earning 239 minutes in penalties. In the playoffs he collected nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points in 44 contests.

Rob Smith joins the Salmon Kings after playing his rookie professional season last year with the Fischtown Penguins in Germany. In 2008-09 with the Penguins, the blueliner played in 44 games, and recorded 19 points (3g-16a), adding 54 minutes in penalties. In six postseason games with Fischtown, he recorded one assist and 4 minutes in penalties.

"Rob is a physical defenseman who can effectively play both ends of the ice," General Manager and Head Coach Mark Morrison said. "We are also looking to fill our locker room with quality people that have strong leadership skills and Rob definitely fills that role."

Prior to the beginning of his professional career, the 6-2, 220lb Smith spent seven seasons in the CIS, OHL, and WHL.

The Steinbach, MB native spent four seasons in the CIS with the University of Manitoba Bisons before going overseas. His most productive campaign came in 2005-06, when he scored 21 points (5g-16a) in 37 games, while tallying 92 PIM's. In his four years with the Bisons, Smith played in 125 games, scoring 19 goals while adding 49 assists for 68 points, and was a member of the Bison's Varsity Cup Championship in 2007.

The 26-year-old Smith began his junior career with two seasons in the WHL playing for the Calgary Hitmen, and one year with the Brampton Battalion of the OHL. The defenseman totalled 134 games over his two years in Calgary, scoring 35 points (6g-29a), and accumulating 170 minutes in penalties. In his one season with the Battalion, Smith played in 53 games, scoring 19 points (2g-17a), and adding 70 minutes in penalties.

Over his seven-year junior career, the former Bisons' team captain appeared in 312 games, scoring 122 points (27g-95a), while accruing 529 minutes in penalties.

Season tickets for the Salmon Kings 2009-10 season are on sale. Catch all the action by calling 250-220-7889, emailing seasontickets@salmonkings.com or by visiting www.salmonkings.com for more information.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from July 15, 2009


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.

OurSports Central