Austin Smith with the Colgate Raiders. From the Alliance Bulldogs Alumni Page & the Colgate Hockey Team Websites.
Before the Colgate Raiders will host the Quinnipiac Bobcats in the ECAC Quarterfinals beginning on Friday Night for a chance to win the Conference Championship next weekend in Atlantic City. On last night's show, Smith was interviewed on such topics on being surprised that the Stars were interested in him late in the Draft Process, how he felt about last season after having hip surgery and going into what he mentioned as "The Most Important Off Season of his life". Surprisingly, they was very little discussion about his chances about his Hobey Baker Chances as the Top 10 Vote will be announced on March 15.
The guys also talked briefly about his experience with the Gunnery Prep School in Connecticut during his Junior & Senior Years of High Schools to prepare him and help his chances of being drafted by the Stars which took him in the 5th Round (128th overall) back in 2007. Then going to Penticton for the 2007-08 season where he was the Team's Leading Goal Scorer to help the Vees win the 2008 BCHL Championship; and his career up to this point at Colgate University which finished the ECAC in 4th Place with a 17-14-3 Overall & 11-10-1 Record with 23 points in the standings.
Through Colgate's Regular Season Finale, he finished the regular season with a NCAA Leading 34 goals with 52 points overall. For his entire career, Smith has stock piled 155 points in 148 career NCAA Games, averaging a strong 1.05 PPG over his College Career. He will look to get the Raiders back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 when they lost to Colorado College 6-5 in the Mid-West Regional Semifinal.
To do so will be tough as many experts are thinking that the ECAC will be a 1 team conference for this year's tournament, so it's most likely be win the Conference or Bust for every body in the ECAC Hockey Playoffs. I'm sure he would love to do one of the few things that has eluded his career and that is pull off a strong run or even something like a big first Round Upset at the NCAA Tournament to end his NCAA Career on a high before he goes off to the Pro Ranks as he looks to eventually join the Dallas Stars and end his journey where it began in his home town.
About The Pipeline Show: Based in Edmonton, Alberta, The Pipeline Show is one of the biggest Radio Shows in North America talking about NHL Prospects, as well as the latest news and features on NCAA & Canadian Hockey League Teams & Players. Hosts Dean Millard & Guy Flaming also talk to many different scouts, broadcasters, coaches and media personnel to discuss which young players are on the verge to burst onto the NHL Scene. It comes on twice a week on Tuesday Nights from 8-10 PM and Saturdays from 11 AM-1 PM. You can listen live online at The Team 1260, or you can listen to previous interviews and features on their huge Archive Section on the The Pipeline Show's Website.
In addition to extensive coverage of the NCAA & CHL, they also discuss the news revolving around the biggest Prospect Hockey Events during the season. The show's Grand Slam of events are the NCAA Frozen Four in April, the CHL Memorial Cup in May, NHL Draft in June & the World Junior Hockey Championships during the Holidays. In addition to the Grand Slam Events, some other big events include the RBC Cup which is the Canadian Jr. A National Championships, the AHL Calder Cup & the IIHF U18 World Championships.
Upcoming Dates for the NCAA Hockey Playoffs & Hobey Baker Award Countdown
3/9-11: Conference Quarterfinals
3/15: Hobey Baker Award Top Ten Announcement
3/15-17: Conference Champions hp Weekend
3/18: NCAA Hockey Tournament Selection Show
3/23-25: NCAA Tournament Regional Rounds
3/29: Hobey Baker Final Three Announcement
4/5: NCAA Frozen Four Semifinals
4/6: Hobey Baker Award Winner Announcement
4/7: NCAA Hockey National Championship Game
I hope that the Colgate Raider can have a great game and win the the conference championship. I think that they can do it.
ReplyDeleteThe match between Norway VS Switzerland Ice Hockey World Championship would be very interesting because both teams are on good position.
ReplyDelete