RED WINGS SIGN DEFENSEMAN BRENDAN SMITH
...Hobey Baker Finalist Inks Three-Year Entry Level Deal With Detroit…
Detroit, MI... Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland announced today that the club has signed defenseman Brendan Smith to a three-year entry level contract. In accordance with team policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.Smith, 21, was Detroit’s first round draft pick (27th overall) in the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft. The Mimico, ONT native spent the past three seasons playing for the Wisconsin Badgers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association under the watch of head coach Mike Eaves, the father of Red Wings forward, Patrick Eaves.
“Brendan improved tremendously in each of his three seasons at Wisconsin,” said Holland. “He was a dominant player at the collegiate level, in particular at his position, and we feel he is ready to take the next step in his career at the professional level. We look forward to having him at training camp in Traverse City in September.”
Smith enjoyed a stellar junior season at Wisconsin in 2009-10, leading the nation in defense scoring with 15 goals and 52 points. He was one of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate hockey player. The 6’2” 190-pound blue-liner was named to the All-WCHA First Team and also took home honors as the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year. Smith became the first Badger defenseman to record 50 points in a season since 1989-90 and the first to post at least 10 power-play goals in a season since 1979-80. In three seasons at Wisconsin, Smith collected 87 points (26-61-87) and 177 PIM.
Brendan Smith, Defense
Born Feb 8 1989 -- Mimico, ONT
Height 6.02 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L
