Carolina Hurricanes Sign Plymouth Captain Beau Schmitz

It's often said that good things happen to good people.

Here's a news release from the Carolina Hurricanes:

RALEIGH, NC – Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed free-agent defenseman Beau Schmitz to a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will pay Schmitz $525,000 per year at the NHL level, or $50,000 per year at the minor-league level, as well as a $50,000 signing bonus.

“Beau had an exceptional overage season with Plymouth,” said Karmanos.“His game matured both offensively and defensively, and we are excited to add a character individual like him to our organization.”

Schmitz, 21, completed his fourth season of major-junior hockey in 2011-12, leading all Plymouth Whalers defensemen in goals (14), assists (40) and points (54). He ranked tied for third among all Ontario Hockey League (OHL) skaters with a plus-37 plus/minus rating, while playing in 62 of Plymouth’s 68 regular-season games.

The Howell, MI, native served as the Whalers’ captain from 2010-12. He was named the OHL Player of the Week for Dec. 26-Jan. 1, when he posted four goals, one assist (5 points) and a plus-8 rating – including a hat trick on Dec. 31 at Windsor – in Plymouth’s three games.

In four seasons with Plymouth, Schmitz (5’10”, 193 lbs.) scored 35 goals, earned 116 assists (151 points) and accumulated 350 penalty minutes in 244 career OHL regular-season games. He played for the Hurricanes’ squads at the NHL Prospects’ Tournament in Traverse City in 2010 and 2011.

SEGUIN SEIZES THE MOMENT: Tyler Seguin's first playoff goal in the Washington-Boston series turned out to be the game-winner in overtime Sunday in Boston's 4-3 victory over Washington.

There's plenty of content.  We'll start with Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe:

WASHINGTON - The Bruins drafted Tyler Seguin in June 2010 as a one-day game-breaker. On Sunday, with Game 6 on the line against the Capitals, the baby-faced 20-year-old was their season-saver.

Set up by an alert play by David Krejci and a perfect dish by Milan Lucic, Seguin dashed toward the net from high in the offensive zone, flashed a quick glance at advancing goalie Braden Holtby, and had the composure to keep the puck, wait out the unforgiving moment, and eventually broom the winning goal into an empty net. Wednesday, Game 7, at the Garden.

Not bad for a kid who, if he were playing for one of our town’s Beanpot entries, probably would just be wrapping up his freshman year and heading to Ontario’s cottage country for the summer.

See the rest of the story.

Here's another story from Jesse Connelly of the New Engleand Hockey Journal.

A PREDATOR AMONG US: David Legwand isn't the only Whalers alum moving into the second round of the National Hockey League playoffs with the Nashville Predators. Goaltender Jeremy Smith (2005-09) is part of the Predators' depth group after an excellent season with Milawukee of the American Hockey League.  

Shane Preston of the Downriver News-Herald profiles Smith:

While the vast majority of metro Detroiters rooted for the Red Wings to dispatch of Nashville in Game 1 on April 11, a certain contingent of hockey fans were rooting for the Predators for a very specific reason.

Downriver’s own Jeremy Smith received a call-up to practice with Nashville and serve as the emergency goalie in the playoff-opening game between the Predators and Red Wings.

The Woodhaven High grad was drafted by the Predators in the second round of the 2007 NHL Draft with the 54th overall pick and has been in the Nashville farm system since then.

Smith has played regularly for the Milwaukee Admirals – Nashville’s AHL-affiliate – for the last two seasons and has drawn some attention with his stellar play.

See the rest of the story.