SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Milwaukee Admirals goaltender Jeremy Smith has been selected as the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Apr. 15, 2012.
With a berth in the 2012 Calder Cup Playoffs on the line, Smith returned from an NHL stint with the parent Nashville Predators and allowed three goals on 81 shots in three starts, backstopping the Admirals to their 10th consecutive postseason trip.
The weekend began with Milwaukee among a group of eight teams vying for the final four playoff spots in the AHL’s Western Conference. Celebrating his 23rd birthday on Friday night, Smith made 34 saves as the Admirals earned a crucial standings point in a 2-1 shootout loss at Rockford. On Saturday, Smith stopped 22 of 23 shots as Milwaukee pulled out a 2-1 overtime victory in Chicago. Finally, with both teams needing a win to clinch a playoff berth on Sunday, Smith made 22 saves and the Admirals downed Charlotte, 6-1, to earn the fifth seed in the West.
Smith finished the 2011-12 regular season with a record of 31-19-2 in 56 appearances for Milwaukee, going 8-1-1 in his final 10 decisions to lead the Admirals’ playoff push. Smith ranked second in the AHL in wins, fourth in goals-against average (2.17), 10th in save percentage (.922), tied for second in shutouts (5) and first in minutes played (3,283) for the year. The third-year pro from Dearborn, Mich., was a second-round draft choice (54th overall) by Nashville in 2007.
In recognition of his achievement, Smith will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Admirals home game.
