"Smitty" Signs for Fifth Year With 'Bugs
July 15, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League today announced their second player signing of the 2009-10 season with the return of forward Brett Smith to the team. Smith joins goaltender John DeCaro as the two Mudbugs players under contract for next season.
"To me, âSmitty' is the epitome of what Mudbugs hockey is all about," said Head Coach Scott Muscutt. "He competes and works exceptionally hard at all times. He wins the hearts of his fans, teammates, and coaches with how much he puts out there every night. We're excited about already having two guys that will be building blocks in the foundation of what we hope will be a championship team."
"I'm very, very excited about next year," Smith said. "We've got a good core group of guys coming back. We had a strong team last year, and I think with some of the additions we're going to make that we will definitely be contending down the stretch."
Smith, who turns 28 next month, will suit up for his sixth professional season this October after serving as an alternate team captain for the first time in his career in 08-09. Despite missing 26 games due to injury, the tenacious center still finished with 39 points (15g, 24a) in 38 games last year, making him the only âBug to average better than one point-per-game. Smith also led the club with three shorthanded goals last season, giving him 12 in his Mudbugs career and tying him for the all-time franchise lead in that category.
In the postseason, the 5-8, 175-pounder elevated his play with a five-game goal scoring streak and eight total points in seven playoff games. Disappointing finishes to the Mudbugs' last two playoff runs have Smith focused on the team's championship goals for 2010.
"I think about it every day," Smith commented. "There's just no better feeling than winning. We've been close a few times here, but we haven't hoisted that cup, and this is going to be a year that we push really hard for it. I want to win."
The Guelph, Ontario native was Bossier-Shreveport's third-leading scorer in 2007-08, finishing just three points shy of his career high with 60 points (22g, 38a) in 57 appearances. Smith enters next year with 100 goals, 152 assists, 252 points and 262 penalty minutes in 278 games played in the CHL and ECHL. Prior to his rookie season with the Mudbugs in 2004-05, he played four seasons of college hockey at Ferris State University.
The Mudbugs will begin their 13th season in Bossier-Shreveport this October at the CenturyTel Center. Season ticket packages for 2009-2010 are available now, so call (318) 752-BUGS or visit our website at www.mudbugshockey.com for more information.
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Central Hockey League Stories from July 15, 2009
- Steward Returns to Oilers - Tulsa Oilers
- Mavericks to Play Wichita Thunder in Preseason Contests - Kansas City Mavericks
- "Smitty" Signs for Fifth Year With 'Bugs - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Thunder Announces Preseason Schedule - Wichita Thunder
- Gorillas Sign Goaltender Lohtander - Amarillo Gorillas
- IceRays Ink Veteran Blueliner - Corpus Christi IceRays
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