Mighty Ducks Sign Samuel Pahlsson and Ladislav Smid

[Thrillhouse]

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has re-signed center Samuel Pahlsson to a two-year contract and signed defenseman Ladislav Smid (pronounced SHM-EED) to a three-year entry level contract.

“We are extremely pleased to have Sammy back. He is a responsible player at both ends of the rink and reliable in the face-off circle.” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. “Ladislav Smid is a top young defenseman with both the size and skill to be an impact NHL player in the future.”

Last season, the 6-0, 208-pound Pahlsson played in 48 games for the Swedish Elite League Champions, Frolunda, scoring 6-18=24 points with 56 penalty minutes (PIM). In 14 playoff games, the Ornskoldsvik, Sweden native posted 4-7=11 points with 24 PIM.

Pahlsson also represented Sweden on two occasions in 2004, at the World Championships and the World Cup of Hockey. At the World Championships, Pahlsson collected 2-5=7 points with 28 PIM in nine games. He finished tied for third on the team in scoring and led Sweden in penalty minutes. In the World Cup, he was scoreless in four games played with six PIM.

In the 2003-04 season, Pahlsson played all 82 games for the Mighty Ducks scoring 8-14=22 points with 52 PIM. He set NHL career highs in games played, goals, points and PIM, while tying his career high for assists.

Pahlsson, 27 (12/17/77), was acquired from Boston in exchange for Andrei Nazarov and Patrick Traverse on Nov. 18, 2000. He was originally drafted by Colorado in the seventh round (176th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

Smid, 19 (2/1/86), has appeared in two consecutive seasons with the HC Liberec of the Czech Rupublic’s Extraleague. In 2004-05, he earned 1-3=4 points in 39 regular season games and appeared in all 12 postseason games with the club, going scoreless.

Smid also played for the Czech Repbublic in the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championships. The 6-3, 201-pound blueliner helped the Czech Republic beat the United States to win the bronze, earning 0-2=2 points in seven tournament games.

A native of Frydlant, Czech Republic, Smid was drafted by Anaheim in the first round (9th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.