Columbus Blue Jackets add Dalton Smith, Ryan Russell to line-up –NHL offseason Update
Columbus Blue Jackets signed on Dalton Smith and Ryan Russell on Monday, August 8th, to different deals, as both players have one thing in common, which is both have yet to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) since being drafted.
Blue Jackets general manager, Scott Howson, made the announcement.
Ryan Russell was drafted as the 211th overall pick during round-seven of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by New York Rangers, but never was signed on by the team and continued to play centre position in the minor leagues.
He was signed on to Ottawa Senators to a two-way deal before the 2007-2008 season began and played three straight seasons with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Hamilton Bulldogs.
The 24-year-old from Caroline, Alberta, Canada, was traded in exchange by Montreal Canadiens for Mike Blunden earlier in July. Last season, Russell had 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 65 games played with Hamilton.
Russell’s performance was significantly highlighted as he recorded 7-2-9 in the playoffs in which Hamilton Bulldogs reached the Western Conference Finals.
About Dalton Smith, GM Scott Howson made the announcement through social networking website, Twitter, in which he said, "Dalton was very good at development camp. Always at the top in terms of conditioning".
Smith was selected as the 34th overall pick in round-two of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by Columbus Blue Jackets and was sent back to the minor leagues to improve further before he was considered to be brought on to the major league.
The 19-year-old from Markham, Ontario, Canada, performed in his third season with the renowned, Ottawa 67’s, in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), prior to being signed on to Columbus with a three-year, entry-level contract.
Last season, Smith contributed 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 64 games played along with finishing off with a plus-minus rating of nine.
It is most likely that Ryan Russell will continue playing in the minor league, while Dalton Smith has finally been given a chance to show how and at what level he can perform in the NHL, which is a totally different league than where is used to playing.
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