Thrashers Sign Shane Hnidy, Brian Maloney and Adam Smyth

**VodkaFish** · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2005, 03:33 PM

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed defenseman Shane Hnidy and forwards Brian Maloney and Adam Smyth, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. Hnidy and Maloney were restricted free agents and Smyth was an unrestricted free agent.

Hnidy (pronounced NIGH-dee), who was acquired by Atlanta from Nashville for a fourth-round selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft on July 30, has registered 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) and 353 penalty minutes in 198 NHL games with Ottawa and Nashville.

The 6-2, 205-pound defenseman notched five points (one goal, four assists) and 56 penalty minutes in 19 games with the Florida Everblades (ECHL) last season. He added four assists and six penalty minutes in 17 games to help Florida reach the Kelly Cup Finals before falling to Trenton.

The native of Neepawa, Manitoba split the 2003-04 season between Ottawa and Nashville, earning seven assists and 82 penalty minutes in 46 games. Hnidy, 29, set career highs with eight assists/points, 130 penalty minutes and 67 games with the Senators in 2002-03, and netted a career-best three goals during his rookie season with the club in 2000-01.

Hnidy, who was selected by Buffalo in the seventh round, 173rd overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, has earned 107 points (30 goals, 77 assists) and 704 penalty minutes in 299 minor-league games over six seasons in the American Hockey League, the former International Hockey League and the ECHL.

Maloney, 26, notched 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) and ranked fourth on the club with 164 penalty minutes in a career-high 77 games with Chicago (AHL) last season. The 6-1, 205-pound left wing helped Chicago reach the 2005 Calder Cup Finals, notching three points (two goals, one assists) and 38 penalty minutes in 18 post-season games.

The native of Bassano, Alberta, has earned 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists) and 231 penalty minutes in 150 career AHL games with the Wolves over two-plus seasons from 2003-05. Maloney set career highs with nine goals, 11 assists and 20 points in 69 games with Chicago in 2003-04.

Maloney, who originally signed with Atlanta as a free agent on March 28, 2003, tallied 137 points (63 goals, 74 assists) and 292 penalty minutes in 160 career games with Michigan State (CCHA) from 1999-2003.

Smyth, 21, split his first full professional season with Gwinnett (ECHL) and Chicago in 2004-05, notching 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) and team-best 217 penalty minutes in 49 games with Gladiators, and was scoreless in three games with the Wolves.

The 6-1, 215-pound right wing was scoreless in four games with Port Huron (UHL) in 2003-04. The native of Wiarton, Ontario collected 44 points (23 goals, 21 assists) and 556 penalty minutes in 172 OHL games with Ottawa and Owen Sound from 2000-04.

OLLBLUEEYZ · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2005, 04:24 PM

Maloney is a fun player to watch...much like a bigger Matthew Barnaby or Darcy Tucker.....

Fear The Mullet · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2005, 11:42 AM

Adam Smyth can go. Atlanta sure is loading up on toughguys, even though Smyth won't be on the big club. Smyth and Manson was a pretty good one-two punch for the Glads.