Mike Smith Named to NHL All-Rookie Team
Posted 10:07 AM ET | Comments 0
Dallas Stars goaltender Mike Smith was named to the 2006-07 NHL All-Rookie Team, it was announced on Thursday evening from the NHL Awards Ceremony in Toronto. Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the conclusion of the regular season.
Smith, 25, appeared in 23 games with the Stars, posting a 12-5-2 record with a 2.23 goals-against-average and a .912 save percentage. He became the first goaltender in franchise history to record a shutout in his NHL debut Oct. 21 at Phoenix (22 saves). Smith twice was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week, honored on Nov. 26 after going 3-0-0 with a 1.73 goals-against-average, .917 save percentage and one shutout, and on Feb. 12 after posting a 3-0-0 record with a 0.85 goals-against-average and a .967 save percentage.
"I'm honored to be named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team,” said Smith. "It is always nice to be recognized for your accomplishments on the ice. It was a great rookie season and I hope to build on that as my career continues."
Also named to the All-Rookie Team were Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. The Sharks' Matt Carle and Marc-Edouard Vlasic earned the two spots on defense, marking the first sweep at the position by one club since Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom and Vladimir Konstantinov were selected in 1991-92. Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny was the third forward named to the team.
Smith is only the second player in franchise history (Mike Modano, 1990) to be named to the NHL All-Rookie team, which began honoring a team after the 1982-83 season.
Smith, 25, appeared in 23 games with the Stars, posting a 12-5-2 record with a 2.23 goals-against-average and a .912 save percentage. He became the first goaltender in franchise history to record a shutout in his NHL debut Oct. 21 at Phoenix (22 saves). Smith twice was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week, honored on Nov. 26 after going 3-0-0 with a 1.73 goals-against-average, .917 save percentage and one shutout, and on Feb. 12 after posting a 3-0-0 record with a 0.85 goals-against-average and a .967 save percentage.
"I'm honored to be named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team,” said Smith. "It is always nice to be recognized for your accomplishments on the ice. It was a great rookie season and I hope to build on that as my career continues."
Also named to the All-Rookie Team were Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. The Sharks' Matt Carle and Marc-Edouard Vlasic earned the two spots on defense, marking the first sweep at the position by one club since Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom and Vladimir Konstantinov were selected in 1991-92. Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny was the third forward named to the team.
Smith is only the second player in franchise history (Mike Modano, 1990) to be named to the NHL All-Rookie team, which began honoring a team after the 1982-83 season.