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Smith on the AHLs All Rookie Team

Started by nate94gt, Mar 30 2011 06:34 PM

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15 replies to this topic

#1 nate94gt

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Posted 30 March 2011 - 06:34 PM

http://www.woodtv.co...l-rookie-honors

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Highly touted Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Brendan Smith claimed yet another award Wednesday, when he was named to the American Hockey League's All-Rookie Team.

"It's a great honor," Smith said. "Anytime you get recognized for something, especially being a rookie, it's an honor."

Despite missing 17 games due to injury, Smith ranks among the AHL's top defensemen with 12 goals (1st for rookies and 6th overall) and 32 points (4th for rookies and 25th overall). In fact, only two rookie defensemen in Griffins history have registered more points than Smith's 32 in a single season and both are now playing in the NHL. Florida Panther defenseman Clay Wilson posted 37 points, while former Red Wing and now Colorado Avalanche defenseman Kyle Quincey posted 33 points for Grand Rapids, both during the 2005-06 season.

"That's a great honor for Brendan," said Griffins head coach Curt Fraser. "He's got a bright future ahead of him with the Detroit Red Wings. He's done a great job for us."

The 22-year-old Smith is also just the third Griffins player ever named to the AHL ALL-Rookie Team, joining current Red Wings Justin Abdelkader (2008-09) and Jimmy Howard (2005-06).

"Obviously, I work off and have been playing a lot with Janny (veteran Doug Janik) this year and he's been helping me," Smith said. "All of the vets have been helping me, encouraging me and giving me words of wisdom, so I think I gotta give them all the credit."

Smith, a first round draft pick of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings in 2007, was also named to the AHL All-Star Team earlier this year.

With just six games to play in the regular season, Brendan and the Griffins continue their playoff push Friday night in British Columbia, Canada with the first of back to back, must win games, against the Abbotsford Heat.

#2 VM1138

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Posted 31 March 2011 - 10:49 AM

Super-pumped about this kid. He's going to be great, I think.

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#3 Travis

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Posted 31 March 2011 - 10:52 AM

I already put this in the Griffins forum, but only like 4 of us are ever in there.

Good for Smith, though. Strong offensive showing for a rookie. I'm excited for his further development next year.

Majsheppard likes this

#4 HankthaTank

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Posted 31 March 2011 - 11:04 AM

Oh yeah! Well I put it in the Brendan Smith Prospects Watch thing 2 hours before this soooo yeah! Posted Image

Can't wait for this kid. Kronwall comparisons....ya know, when he hit and stuff Posted Image

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS EXPECTED.

#5 newfy

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Posted 31 March 2011 - 11:55 AM

Oh yeah! Well I put it in the Brendan Smith Prospects Watch thing 2 hours before this soooo yeah!

Can't wait for this kid. Kronwall comparisons....ya know, when he hit and stuff

I've been watching the griffins a lot this year and how similar he plays to Kronwall is kind of scary. he only difference is, Smith has more edge to his game and is meaner

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#6 Travis

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Posted 31 March 2011 - 11:58 AM

I've been watching the griffins a lot this year and how similar he plays to Kronwall is kind of scary. he only difference is, Smith has more edge to his game and is meaner

He also gets carried away a bit, which is something I feel the Wings will be looking for him to curtail.

#7 ogreslayer

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Posted 31 March 2011 - 02:20 PM

With as bad as the Wings' D has been all season, bring Smith in as a Black Ace during the playoffs & if Ericsson, Salei, or Kindl look particularly "Lebda-like", put the kid in & see what he can do.

Z Winged Dangler likes this

Money of the Board-2013 Playoff Edition: Current $31 ($5 per series win {1}, $5 per series sweep, $5 per Kronwalling {2}, $2 per Jimmy shutout or fight, $2 per Tootoo goal or fight, $2 per Mule or Brunner goal {8})

#8 Rick Zombos Ghost

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Posted 31 March 2011 - 02:33 PM

With as bad as the Wings' D has been all season, bring Smith in as a Black Ace during the playoffs & if Ericsson, Salei, or Kindl look particularly "Lebda-like", put the kid in & see what he can do.

Janik will play before he does. He probably wont play. Wings will protect him from being thrown into his first NHL game during playoffs.

#9 wingslogo19

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Posted 31 March 2011 - 04:39 PM

Congrats to Smith on the All Rookie Team. Can't wait to see this kid in a Wings jersey

#10 Hiei

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Posted 31 March 2011 - 09:54 PM

Janik will play before he does. He probably wont play. Wings will protect him from being thrown into his first NHL game during playoffs.

Darren Helm? :ph34r:

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#11 Rick Zombos Ghost

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Posted 31 March 2011 - 10:46 PM

Darren Helm?

in no way is helm the commodity smith potentially is...i predict baby steps for our young jedi.

#12 Nev

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Posted 01 April 2011 - 12:53 AM

What chance he competes for a roster spot next season? I know we like to over-season our youngsters, But you can't help thinking he can take a 3rd pairing spot from Ericsson/Kindl right now.

"If I can be totally honest, it's not a lot of guys you get impressed by. Actually, it's no one else but him. From the bench, to see what move he makes -- you're like, 'I wish I could do that.' Sometimes you sit on the bench and just think, 'wow,' and you look over to the other bench and they sit there and shake their heads, too. He has great, great skills. I'm probably not going to play with another player who has the kind of skills he has." Mikael Samuelsson on Pavel Datsyuk

#13 MGreenberg

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Posted 01 April 2011 - 12:55 AM

Might have to watch the next Griffins game to see what the hype is all about since I really only follow teams at the NHL level.

#14 Z Winged Dangler

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Posted 01 April 2011 - 12:53 PM

With as bad as the Wings' D has been all season, bring Smith in as a Black Ace during the playoffs & if Ericsson, Salei, or Kindl look particularly "Lebda-like", put the kid in & see what he can do.

I kept hitting the + button but it still only gave you +1 :lol:

i agree with this completely. not sure if there'll be any spots, but i'd like to see smith compete for a roster spot on the wings next season. i'd love to see a mean ass line of him and stuart.

Wings need some Ryan Pulock in the 1st round, a goal scorer in the 2nd round and rounds 3-7 all guys 6'4 or bigger. Please sign Dekeyser to play with Smith. <--Dekeyser signed, Paired next year. Mark your calendars.

Tootoo needs a partner in crime that plays like him on the other side of Helm. Oh hey, we have Mitchell Callahan. Problem solved.

Cleary.... :pokey:

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#15 Travis

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Posted 01 April 2011 - 01:01 PM

I kept hitting the + button but it still only gave you +1

i agree with this completely. not sure if there'll be any spots, but i'd like to see smith compete for a roster spot on the wings next season. i'd love to see a mean ass line of him and stuart.

Kid definitely doesn't need to be rushed. He's still a liability to an NHL defense.

#16 Majsheppard

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Posted 02 April 2011 - 11:33 AM

What chance he competes for a roster spot next season? I know we like to over-season our youngsters, But you can't help thinking he can take a 3rd pairing spot from Ericsson/Kindl right now.

He might be better than our bottom three of 7 D, but it isn't always who is the best who is on the team, but who can clear waviers so others can gain experience.

Ericsson and Kindl could improve a lot still with regular playing time. What if you brought Smith in, and Kindl rides the pine? He could end up leaving and being a great dman for someone else. Lest we not forget Quincey.

Another year in GR would not hurt Smith, and it would most likely help Kindl. Sometimes that is better in the long run for the team.

Of course if Lids goes away, I don't see Smith being left off the roster.

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Tootoo does NOT belong on this team. He is classless and I would rather see the Wings be bad than classless. I feel the same way about Bertuzzi as well, but he at least CAN make the team better. With Tootoo the team becomes worse and in danger of being classless. Would you have liked Claude on the team? Or Roy? No. So why would you be okay with that POS.

This thread has been closed due to emotions being higher than people's ability to read, interpret, and properly respond to simple posts.

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