CINCINNATI, Ohio – The 2010 Kelly Cup Champion Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that goaltender Jeremy Smith has been recalled by the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. In addition, the Admirals have assigned goaltender Chet Pickard to Cincinnati. In a separate transaction, the Cyclones have waived defenseman J.C. Sawyer.
This will be Smith’s third-career trip to the American Hockey League and second this season. From October 12-18, the second year goaltender served as the backup for the Milwaukee Admirals and did not see any action. Last season he appeared in five minutes of one game for the Cyclones AHL affiliate.
Pickard, the Nashville Predators 18th overall draft selection in 2008, comes to Cincinnati in hopes of improving his 2010-11 numbers. He has posted an 0-3-1 record with a 3.47 goals-against average (GAA) and an 88.5 save percentage this season. During his rookie campaign last year, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native appeared in 36 games for Milwaukee, earning a 14-16-3 record with a 2.85 GAA and 89.2 save percentage.
Prior to being drafted, Pickard played backup to now-Montreal Canadiens star Carey Price in his first two seasons with the Tri-City Americans (WHL), then took over the starting position in 2007-08 when Price moved up to the NHL. Pickard won 46 games that year posting a 2.32 GAA and 92.0 save percentage en route to succeeding Price as WHL Goaltender of the Year. He was additionally awarded the Del Wilson Trophy as the top WHL goaltender and was named to the WHL West and CHL First All-Star Teams.
Pickard will join the rest of the Cyclones as they travel to Toledo this Friday night to battle the Walleye in the first of 13 regular season meetings. The puck drops at 7:00pm with live radio coverage on MAX-FM beginning at 6:45pm.
The defending Kelly Cup Champion Cyclones open their home schedule this Saturday, October 30 at U.S. Bank Arena against the Wheeling Nailers. The first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a free 2010-11 Magnetic Schedule with frame courtesy of Hometown Sports. Discounted ticket packages and single game tickets for the 2010-2011 season are available now. For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) or visit CyclonesHockey.com.
To view both players career statistics, click here
