JEREMY SMITH MAKES NHL DEBUT
For Immediate Release: February 15, 2017
JEREMY SMITH MAKES NHL DEBUT
Goaltender Backstopped Cyclones to 2010 Kelly Cup Championship
Cincinnati, OH- After spending eight seasons in the minor leagues, former Cincinnati Cyclones goaltender Jeremy Smith made his NHL debut on Tuesday night for the Colorado Avalanche, stopping 37 of the 40 shots he faced in Colorado’s 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Despite the loss, Smith’s efforts earned him second star of the game honors.
"It's been a long 27 years to get to this point; it's not the end, it's just the beginning,” said Smith in a statement to NHL.com. “I think I played well. There were probably a couple things I could have done a little different to give myself a better chance to make some saves, but I think there were a lot of good things to take from the game."
Smith made his pro debut with the Cyclones back in 2009-10, posting a 23-15-2 record along with a 2.63 goals-against average and an .899 save percentage in 42 regular season games. A native of Dearborn, MI, Smith was an instrumental piece to Cincinnati’s run to the Kelly Cup Championship that season, recording a mark of 9-7-1 to go along with a 2.67 GAA and a .907 SV%. He also earned Kelly Cup Playoff co-MVP honors.
The 28-year-old has spent the majority of his pro career in the American Hockey League (AHL), appearing in 265 games between the Iowa Wild, Milwaukee Admirals, Providence Bruins, San Antonio Rampage, and Springfield Falcons. He has a career AHL record of 132-90-19 record along with a 2.43 GAA and a .917 SV%.
Prior to turning pro in 2009, Smith enjoyed a successful junior hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Niagara IceDogs and Plymouth Whalers, amassing 63 wins over the course of four seasons. He was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the second round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
He joins Wade Megan (St. Louis Blues), and Mike Liambas and Frederick Gaudreau (Nashville Predators)as former Cyclones to make their NHL debuts this season, and is the 22nd former Cyclone along with the 615th former ECHLer to skate in an NHL game.
The 2016-17 season is underway, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want you along for the ride as they march towards another Kelly Cup Championship! 2016-17 single game tickets and packages along with group and Season Ticket Packages are available NOW! Call (513) 421-PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
