Rivermen Ink Defensemen Smith, Hamilton for Training Camp

August 8, 2018 - 04:40 pm

Rivermen Ink Defensemen Smith, Hamilton for Training Camp

Smith returns to Peoria blueline after playing in 50 SPHL games last season

 

Peoria, IL – The Peoria Rivermen announced Wednesday that the team has signed defensemen Cody Smith and Jake Hamilton to professional tryout agreements for this October’s training camp. Smith returns to the Rivermen after he scored four goals and racked up 15 assists in 29 games after joining the Rivermen via trade last January, while Hamilton comes to Peoria to start his pro career after spending two collegiate seasons at the University of Wisconsin – Superior.

 

Smith, 25, began his pro career last season with the Huntsville Havoc, posting six assists in 21 games before joining the Rivermen via trade January 6. After joining the Rivermen, Smith saw action in 29 more regular-season contests, putting up four goals and assisting on 11 others, adding a helper in seven postseason outings as he helped Peoria to the President’s Cup Finals.

 

“Smitty is an important player for us to get back this year,” said Rivermen Head Coach Jean-Guy Trudel. “He brings a scoring touch to our defensive group, and he’s a gritty kid who plays with a chip on his shoulder in his own end.”

 

Hamilton, 22, comes to Peoria after spending the last two seasons playing collegiately at the University of Wisconsin – Superior, where he totaled four goals, four assists, and 60 penalty minutes in 54 games. Prior to his time with the Yellowjackets, the Decatur, IL native spent two seasons in the North American Hockey League, where he racked up three goals, 20 assists, and 219 PIM in 101 games for the Odessa Jackalopes, Soo Eagles, and New Jersey Junior Titans.

 

Smith and Hamilton join returner Ben Oskroba and newcomers Ralfs Grinbergs and Olivier Schingh-Gomez on Peoria’s training camp blueline corps and bring the Rivermen’s overall camp ledger to 12, with more players expected to sign before the Rivermen open camp in early October.

 

Group and season tickets for Peoria's 37th season of professional hockey presented by Midwest Orthopaedic Center are on sale at the Toyota Box Office in the Peoria Civic Center, or by phone at the Rivermen office, located at 201 S.W. Jefferson Street, or over the phone at (309) 676-1040. For the latest Rivermen news and notes, follow online at www.rivermen.net or through Facebook (www.facebook.com/PeoriaRivermen) - Twitter(https://twitter.com/Peoria_Rivermen)