On Thursday, the Gorillas re-signed Neil Smith for the 2009-10 season.
Amarillo, TX – Last season’s Gorilla defenseman Neil Smith has resigned with the Amarillo Gorillas for the 2009-10 season, the team announced Wednesday.
Smith, 25 (05/12/84), will begin his second season with the Gorillas organization, where he racked up a team-high 109 penalty minutes over 39 games before being placed on season-ending IR on Valentine’s Day.
“Neil is a gifted defenseman who plays with an edge,” commented Gorillas Head Coach Brian Pellerin. “I know he will add a strong presence on the ice and in the dressing room. I expect Neil to improve on his first year and help us achieve the goals we have set for the upcoming season.”
The Fonthill, Ontario (30 miles Northwest of Buffalo, New York) native will enter his second season of professional hockey, after playing for the Gorillas (8 points 1-7-8) and the ECHL’s Mississippi Sea Wolves (2 games, no points, 7 PIM) last season.
“Neil is an outstanding individual,” remarked Gorillas General Manager Robert Simmons. “He will bring grit and toughness to every night. Neil is also willing to stick up for his teammates at any point during a game.
Before turning pro, Smith played three seasons at Dalhousie University of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport, where he averaged 65 penalty minutes a year.
