Buffalo signs a forward and re-assigns a defenseman to the Amerks.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres announced on Thursday that the team has signed forward C.J. Smith to a two-year, entry-level contract.
Smith (22, 5-foot-11, 185 lbs.) signs with the Sabres after completing his third season with the UMass Lowell River Hawks (Hockey East). In 2016-17, he tied for eighth among NCAA skaters with 23 goals and ranked 12th with 51 points. Smith was also named the Hockey East Tournament MVP after leading the tournament with eight points (4+4) in five games.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Smith finished his college career with 125 points (56+69) in 120 games. He was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2014-15 and was named to the league’s All-Tournament Teams each of the last two seasons.
The Sabres also announced on Thursday that the team assigned defenseman Brady Austin to the Rochester Americans as defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is ready to return from his three-game suspension. Buffalo returns to action on Sunday afternoon against the New York Islanders.