The Columbus Blue Jackets signed left wing Dalton Smith to a standard three-year entry level contract and signed left wing Ryan Russell to a one-year, two-way NHL-American Hockey League contract, GM Scott Howson announced Monday.
Smith, 19, was the Blue Jackets second pick (No. 34) at the 2010 Entry Draft. He had 12 goals, 17 assists and 124 penalty minutes and was a plus-9 in 64 games with Ottawa of the Ontario Hockey League last season. In 143 career OHL games with Ottawa, Smith went 35-45-80 with 261 penalty minutes and a plus-27 rating.
Russell, 24, was acquired by the Blue Jackets from Montreal in exchange for right wing Mike Blunden on July 7. He had 10 goals, 11 assists and 48 penalty minutes and was a plus-17 in 65 games for AHL Hamilton last season. He also went 7-2-9 in 20 playoff games and helped the Bulldogs reach the Western Conference Final.
Russell was the New York Rangers' ninth pick (No. 211) at the 2005 Entry Draft. He has appeared in 243 career AHL games, collecting 51 goals, 49 assists and 84 penalty minutes and is a plus-54.
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