Smith, Pagnutti Garner All-ECHL Honors

March 27, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Arkansas RiverBlades News Release

Both center Buddy Smith and defenseman Matt Pagnutti earned the honors, with Smith named first team center, and Pagnutti named second-team defenseman.

This marks only the second time in team history that a RiverBlades player has made the squad, and the first since defenseman Eric Long won second-team honors in 2000-2001.

Buddy Smith, 28, a native of Rochfort Bridge, Alberta, has set numerous team records this season, including assists in a season (74) and points in a season (102). Smith, who scored his first goal just 21 seconds into the season, is the first RiverBlades' player to ever score 100 points in a year, and is on pace to become the first RiverBlade in history to win the ECHL scoring title. Earlier this year, Smith also became the first Arkansas player to start in the ECHL All-Star Game.

Matt Pagnutti, 27, has had a career year on the Blades blue line. The native of Sudbury, Ontario, ranks third among ECHL defensemen in scoring with 55 points, which also ties him for 4th on the team. Pagnutti is also tied for the league lead among D-men with 12 power-play goals. Earlier this week, Pagnutti, along with team captain Eric Long, was an honorable mention on the ECHL¹s 15th Anniversary Team. In his ECHL career, Pagnutti has played in one Kelly Cup Final and three conference championship series.

The drive to the Kelly Cup begins next week, as the RiverBlades return to the playoffs for the first time since 2001! Call 975-2327 for more information!

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