Smith Selected to Start All-Star Game
Published on December 19, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Arkansas RiverBlades News Release
RiverBlades' center Buddy Smith has been selected as a starter for the Southern Conference in the 2003 ECHL All-Star Game, to be held January 21 in Estero, Florida.
Smith, 27, a native of Rochfort Bridge, Alberta, becomes the first RiverBlade ever to start the All-Star Game. The speedy 5-8, 145-pound center scored his first goal of the year just 21 seconds into the season-opener. He has scored 6 power-play goals, one game-winning goal, and had an 11-game point streak from October 16th through November 17th, racking up 18 points in that span. Earlier this month, Smith became the first RiverBlades' player ever to lead the league in scoring. He currently ranks third in the ECHL and leads Arkansas with 16 goals and 25 assists for 41 points.
"It's a huge honor to be named as a starter to the All-Star team," Smith said. "I want to thank my teammates for helping me get there, with a special thanks to my linemates Jason Bermingham and Ernie Hartlieb. I look forward to going to the All-Star Game and putting on a good show."
Smith is in his second stint with Arkansas. He played 15 games last year, scoring 12 points (3-9) during that time. He finished last season with the Salzburg RedBulls in Austria and then signed with the RiverBlades as a free agent in the offseason.
"Buddy Smith has been a huge catalyst to our offense all season," said RiverBlades' head coach Chris Cichocki, who will coach the Southern Conference. "He has a little body, but a huge heart. There is no one more deserving than Buddy."
Hosted by the Florida Everblades and sponsored by Compuware, the 11th annual East Coast Hockey League All-Star Game will be played at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2003, at TECO Arena in Estero, Florida.
ECHL Stories from December 19, 2002
- Hirsch Named To Canadian National Team - Utah Grizzlies
- Zepp and Johnston Voted to ECHL Southern All-Star Squad - Florida Everblades
- Lock Monsters Make Roster Moves - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Menzul Acquired in Trade with Toledo - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Ryan OKeefe Named ECHL All Star - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Guenther Heads to Florida - Baton Rouge Kingfish
- Mitchell an All-Star again - Louisiana IceGators
- Pickard Takes Over as Head Coach - Kalamazoo Wings
- Three Inferno Players Go to All-Star Game - Columbia Inferno
- Chiefs To 'Pass The Hat' For Sepp Fund - Johnstown Chiefs
- Smith Selected to Start All-Star Game - Arkansas RiverBlades
- Three Sea Wolves Selected to All-Star Game - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Yetman Named to ECHL All-Star Team - Augusta Lynx
- Men O' War Get Set for Showdown with High-Scoring Royals - Burlington
- Pair of Pride rookies named All-Stars - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Southern Conference All-Stars Named - ECHL
- Three Royals Named All-Stars - Reading Royals
- Stingrays Sign Two; Activate Marietti - South Carolina Stingrays
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.
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