Manitoba Moose Sign Smith To ATO

[Scout]

Keen's Korner

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Smith Headed to Manitoba Moose
Moose News Release:


MOOSE SIGN ZACK SMITH TO ATO

The Manitoba Moose, the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, announced they have signed centre Zack Smith to an amateur tryout contract.

Smith, 20, appeared in 72 games this past season with the Swift Current Broncos. In that time, he scored 22 goals and 48 assists for 70 points and 136 penalty minutes. He also collected five goals and five assists for 10 points in 12 playoffs games for the Broncos this season. In four years with the Broncos, the Maple Creek, SK native appeared in 221 games and scored 41 goals and 69 assists for 110 points and 344 penalty minutes. In 21 career playoff games in Swift Current, Smith has five goals and seven assists for 21 points in 21 games.

Jon

www.jonkeen.blogspot.com

[CrazyGeorge]

Right on Smith!!! It would be nice to have him possibily back in a Broncos uniform in this coming August but it's also nice to see players move up in their hockey careers. Congrats Zach!!! I"m thinking Weise and Nelson will soon follow in signing contracts.

[d-man]

Zack gets an assist in his first game with the Moose

[Scout]

Smith hits scoresheet in pro debut
Broncos captain sets up goal for Manitoba Moose
SOUTHWEST BOOSTER SPORTS
The Southwest Booster


Swift Current Broncos captain Zack Smith recorded an assist in his first professional hockey game with the Manitoba Moose on Friday night in a 2-1 overtime loss to the host Syracuse Crunch.

Smith signed an amateur tryout contract with the Moose, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, earlier this week and suited up for game one of the Moose’s Calder Cup first round playoff best-of-seven series against the Crunch.

The 19-year-old forward assisted on Juraj Simek’s second period goal and was a plus one with two shots on goal. The Moose lost 30 seconds into overtime on Joakim Lindstom’s overtime winner.

Smith appeared in 72 games this past season with the Broncos. In that time, he scored 22 goals and 48 assists for 70 points and 136 penalty minutes. He also collected five goals and five assists for 10 points in 12 playoffs games for the Broncos this season.

Fellow Broncos 19-year-old forward Levi Nelson also signed an amateur tryout contract with the Providence Bruins, the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, but was not in the line-up for the Bruins 2-0 win over the Manchester Monarchs on Friday. The win gives the Bruins a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of seven series following a 3-2 overtime win on Wednesday.

Nelson joins Providence for his second professional stint in as many seasons after appearing in one regular season game and four playoff contests toward the end of the 2006-07 campaign. Drafted by the Boston Bruins 158th overall in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Nelson is coming off of his best of three full junior seasons in the WHL. The center recorded career-highs with 25 goals, 36 assists, 61 points and 152 penalty minutes in 67 games before adding 15 points, including seven goals, in 12 post season contests.

Both the Moose and the Bruins will be back on the ice on Saturday in their respective Calder Cup playoff series'.

[sbtatter]

http://www.winnipegsun.com/Sports/Hockey/2008/04/19/5329326-sun.html
Sounds like a great debut!!

[Flathead]

http://www.winnipegsun.com/Sports/Hockey/2008/04/19/5329326-sun.html
Sounds like a great debut!!
No kidding sounds great, way to go Smith.
BTW, if you play for the Broncos and your last name is Smith, the Canucks will put you in their organization. Zack, Tim and Nathan all played for Swift and all were part of the Canucks organization. Lol.

[CrazyGeorge]

Will Zach Smith be back in a Bronco uniform in August? That being said, I'm really curious what people think of our potential 20 year old next year. With guys like Steiler and McAvoy as solid role players lots of people don't see them coming back but is it guaranteed that Smith, Nelson, Weise, Danseraeu, Dudas and Yonkman will be back? I've thought about that lots. When asked the question, who will most likely be our 20 year olds or be elligable as a 20 year old this coming season....who will those possibilities be? If all 8 are elligable who would be the three? What would we want in a possible trade? IF 7 are eligable, etc.....it all comes down to who stays with their respective pro camps and who is sent back. This past year we had a ton of 19 year olds have great years....only time will tell I guess eh?

[Scout]

Next year we could have 8 returning players as overagers and can only keep three.

Dale Wiese 6'2" 202 lbs.

G.P. 53 G 29 A 22 Points 51 Plus 8

Dale turned into the power forward every team wants. Did it all from thunderous checks to fighting. He improved ten fold over last year and caught alot of scouts attention. Has the size to go minor pro next year. Bets are he gets a minor pro try out.

David Stieler 5'11" 177 lbs.

G.P. 71 G 23 A 22 Points 45 Plus 3

David was one of our imports. Will be an overage next year and being Euro will stay in his native country and play mens league.

Jesse Dudas 6'1" 228 lbs.

G.P. 52 G 5 A 30 Points 35 Minus 5

Jesse came over in a trade last year. Solidified our D and is our strongest player. Although he never had to prove it, he was one of the better fighters out West. Is a stay at home D man who showed some highlight reel rushes. Guessing he will return next year to help solidify our D after loosing Wilson and Stamler to graduation.

Keegan Dansereau 5'11" 201 lbs.

G.P. 63 G 22 A 34 Points 56 Plus 22

Keegan also came over in a trade. Showed what he can do in the play offs and was one of our better forwards in the games. Has great speed and stickhandling. Can't over look his plus 22 and should be at camp.

Levi Nelson 6' 192 lbs.

G.P. 67 G 25 A 36 Points 61 Plus 23

Levi was one of the best agitators in the league who could also score. Was a leader on the ice and drew alot of penalties. Was a plus 23 and that shows his offensive prowness. For the second straight year was called up by the Bruins at seasons end. Has signed an ATO with the Bruins and will get a long look at camp. Good chance he may play minor pro.

Spencer McAvoy 6'3" 190 lbs.

G.P. 57 G 3 A 8 Points 11 Plus 6

A utility player who was used everywhere. Played winger when needed and was also put on D. Could play any position when called upon. Should be at camp come fall.

Zack Smith 6'3" 207 lbs.

G.P. 72 G 22 A 47 Points 69 Plus 31

Zack was a great leader. The captain of the team who was proud to wear the Bronco uniform. Came up through minor hockey in our city and this is home. Lead the team in points and plus/minus with a plus 31. Was a great Captain who stood up for his team mates and was one of our tougher forwards. Although Zack was called up by the Manitoba Moose and scored a point in his first game, i see Zack returning and again leading the team and guiding the younger players.

Travis Yonkman 6'1" 180 lbs.

G.P. 57 G.A.A. 2.67 Save % 0.909

Travis was our M.V.P. of the playoffs. Kept us in alot of games and proved he was ready to take over the number 1 spot after Moir graduated. Let in the odd soft goal but so does every goaltender. Will he return as a 20 year-old? Not sure. Will be at camp but will be pushed hard by some great up and coming rookies. Didn't see enough of Guggenberger to know if he is ready for the #1 spot. Yonkman knows what winning is like having guided Saskatoon Contacts to the championships in midget AAA and being named M.V.P. at the Macs Tourny in Calgary while with the Contacts. Depends if we will have a mini rebuild next year.

Alot of these players played key roles in our success this year and loosing any of them will hurt. The best problem we have is our depth. We have some great upcoming rookies waiting in the wings and wanting more ice time or the chance to play. Look for these rookies to push the vets hard to make the team. Should be interesting come camp to see who returns and who plays minor pro.

Scout