The Kings are pleased to announce the commitment of 95-goaltender Jeff Smith to St. Cloud State for the 2016/2017 season.
Smith, 20, has posted a 23-12-1 record with the Kings in his second stint with the club. His goals against average is 4th in the BCHL at 2.54 and Smith ranks third in save percentage at .926. Along the way, Smith has posted four shutouts which is equal 2nd in the BCHL. Smith was the BCHL’s Top Goaltender from the 2013/2014 season before spending last season at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in the NCAA.
“It was a longer process than I probably wanted, but I’m very excited to go in to St. Cloud, it’s probably the best possible situation for me to go into” said Smith on the commitment. “I waited for the right school and the right opportunity and it paid off.”
Smith will return to the NCAA as a sophmore with the Huskies in a situation that will see him given the opportunity to battle for a starting job right away.
“Their current starter is expected to sign an NHL contract next year so it’s an opportunity to go in and compete for a starting role as a sophmore” said Smith.
The commitment is one that is well deserved for a player who works hard every day, according to Kings Head Coach Kent Lewis.
“Jeff comes to the rink every day and is a leader on and off the ice” said Lewis. “He has a great work ethic, he battles in games and gives us a chance to win every night. We were fortunate to see him back here this season and we’re happy see him return to the NCAA for next year.”
Smith plans to continue studies towards a business management degree and recognizes that the timing of the commitment is one that will allow him to shift focus moving forward.
“I feel like it’s a huge weight lifted off my shoulders” said Smith. “I wanted to get this done before playoffs, focus fully on a good playoff run and winning a championship here.”
St. Cloud State compete in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), an 8-team division that began competition in 2013. The Huskies won the innaugural regular season championship in 2013/2014. St. Cloud do not currently feature any Powell River alumni, however the NCHC is home to Jarid Lukosevicius (Denver) and Luke Nogard (Nebraska-Omaha).
