Red Wings Sign Wisconsin's Brendan Smith

[Thrillhouse]

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings announced today that the club has signed defenseman Brendan Smith to a three-year entry level contract.

Smith, 21, was Detroit’s first round draft pick (27th overall) in the 2007 NHL draft. The Mimico, Ontario, native spent the past three seasons playing for the University of Wisconsin in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association under the watch of head coach Mike Eaves, father of Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves.

“Brendan improved tremendously in each of his three seasons at Wisconsin,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland. “He was a dominant player at the collegiate level, in particular at his position, and we feel he is ready to take the next step in his career at the professional level. We look forward to having him at training camp in Traverse City in September.”

Smith enjoyed a stellar junior season at Wisconsin, leading the nation in scoring among defensemen with 15 goals and 52 points. He was one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate hockey player.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound defenseman was named to the All-WCHA First Team and also took home honors as the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year. Smith became the first Badgers defenseman to record 50 points in a season since 1989-90 and the first to post at least 10 power-play goals in a season since 1979-80.

In three seasons at Wisconsin, Smith collected 87 points (26-61-87) and 177 PIM.

[FrontLineAdmirals]

This kid's a stud. Draft gold...yet again.

[Grittzkey]

Slow start at Wisconsin but he pulled it together.

[JKidd]

Strange not seeing it be a guy from Europe....

Good to see. Smith had an amazing tourny for the Badgers, and should play very well in the show.

[evulmievl]

Originally Posted by jkidd

Strange not seeing it be a guy from Europe....

Good to see. Smith had an amazing tourny for the Badgers, and should play very well in the show.

and what alot of people dont know is that he does have an edge to his game.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by evulmievl

and what alot of people dont know is that he does have an edge to his game.

No doubt he does. I got to watch him more then a few times, against the Sioux, Gophs, Wolverines, Bulldogs, Mavs and a few other series.

[chilly666]

you too??

[Anthony19]

Apparently he might do some time for beating the **** out of some guy!!

Wisconsin defenseman Brendan Smith, who signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Red Wings on Thursday, was charged Friday with disorderly conduct stemming from a fight outside a campus party earlier this month, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

The State Journal reported that Smith is due in court on Tuesday for the misdemeanor, which carries a maximum of a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail.

Smith, 21, is charged with repeatedly punching a man who tried to enter a party around 2 a.m. on May 6, according to a criminal complaint filed in Wisconsin’s Dane County Circuit Court. Smith told police that the man and his friend had been told to leave but kept trying to push their way into the party, according to the State Journal.

Smith recently completed his junior season and led all defensemen nationally in scoring with 52 points.

I like em!

[SnowballIsChamp]

he now already leads the Wings in career fights.

[jreverblade9]

I was wondering when they were going to sign him. Solid guy