January 2, 2008

Providence Returns Smith to Charlotte

PROVIDENCE, RI -- The Providence Bruins, member of the American Hockey League, announced tonight that former Harvard defenseman Kenny Smith has been released from his Professional Tryout Agreement after six scoreless games with the club. He returns to the ECHL's Charlotte Checkers.

Smith, 26, is in his fourth professional season with his sixth different club. The defenseman, who participated in the P-Bruins' training camp prior to the start of the season, began the year in Charlotte where he had four points, including three assists, and 38 penalty minutes in 21 contests. Smith was signed to a PTO by Providence on December 21, since playing in six games for the P-Bruins and finishing with no points and a plus-three rating. Over two stints with Providence this year, Smith has appeared in eight games, going scoreless. During his young career, during which he has amassed five goals, 29 assists, 34 points and 251 PIM in 225 contests, Smith has also seen time in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Portland Pirates and Edmonton Roadrunners and in the ECHL with the Greenville Grrrowl. Prior to turning pro, the native of Stoneham, Massachusetts, played four years for the Harvard University Crimson, captaining the team as a senior. Smith was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers 84th overall in the third round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.