C.J. Smith scored 44 points in 57 AHL games last season for the Amerks.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres on Monday announced the team has signed forward C.J. Smith to a 1-year, 2-way contract with an AAV of $874,125.
After making his NHL debut with 1 assist in 2 games for the Sabres in 2016-17, Smith (23, 5-foot-11, 181 lbs.) completed his first full professional season in 2017-18 by tallying 44 points (17+27) in 57 AHL games with the Rochester Americans. His totals ranked third among Amerks skaters in points, tied for second in goals and tied for third in assists. Smith’s fast start in 2017-18 earned him a spot in the 2018 AHL All-Star Challenge, where he recorded 5 points (3+2) to earn Most Valuable Player honors.
Prior to signing with the Sabres as a free agent in March 2017, Smith finished his 3-year college career at UMass Lowell with 125 points (56+69) in 120 games. Among his collegiate accolades were Hockey East All-Tournament Team selections in each of his final 2 seasons and a Hockey East Tournament MVP nod in 2017 following an 8-point (4+4) output in 5 games as a member of the champion River Hawks.