The Calgary Flames, parent club of the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat, announced today the signing of defenseman Derek Smith to a one-year, two-way contract.
"We tendered an offer to Derek at the opening of free agency and were one of a number of teams to do so," said Flames general manager Jay Feaster. "We felt strongly that Derek would add to our depth at the position and would also have a legitimate shot to break into our top 7 mix at that position. We are very pleased that as he considered his options he elected to come to Calgary. His time spent in the NHL last year demonstrated that he is knocking on the door of becoming a full-time regular in the League, and he also brings recent AHL Calder Cup championship experience to the mix. We look forward to seeing him compete in camp."
Smith joins the Flames organization fresh of a championship season in the American Hockey League as the Binghamton Senators captured the 2011 Calder Cup. In 71 regular-season games he recorded 10 goals and 44 assists for 54 points which placed him fourth among all defenseman in the AHL. He added one goal and one assist in six postseason games as the B-Sens captured their first league title.
Smith also played nine games with the Ottawa Senators during the 2010-11 season, recording an assist for his first career NHL point.
In four seasons with Binghamton, the 26-year-old native of Belleville, Ont., notched 33 goals and 109 assists for 142 points in 272 AHL games.
