 |
|
| Matt Smith |
| Josh Lehrer |
Two of RIT’s own, senior forwards Matt Smith
and Simone Lambert, have signed contracts to
play hockey professionally.
Smith signed with the South Carolina Stingrays,
part of the East Coast Hockey League, back in
March. He made his first appearance in a professional
game on March 2, 2008. He has two
shots on goal. Smith’s career at RIT was a strong
one with 62 goals and 51 assists. Even further,
Smith’s 44 power-play goals are tied with the
most in the history of the men’s hockey program
at RIT. “I was having too much fun playing at RIT,
I just couldn’t give it up,” remarked Smith about
continuing his career. “I am still fairly young
and figure I don’t want to have any regrets.”
“We are excited for Matt,” said Men’s Hockey
Coach Wayne Wilson, “He will represent RIT
well in the pros.”
 |
|
| Simone Lambert |
| Josh Lehrer |
Lambert also signed with the East Coast Hockey
League. He will now play for the Victoria Salmon
Kings. On March 25, Lambert scored his first professional
goal. Lambert’s career at RIT was very
successful as well with 63 goals and 89 assists.
He is now RIT’s all-time leading Division I scorer,
and feels that the change from Division III to
Division I was very helpful in getting him the
professional contract. Regarding the switch of
divisions, Lambert said, “The mentality changed
a little bit, which is a lot more like professional
hockey. I also learned a lot from the coaches,
and I will always be grateful of what they did
for me.”
Smith and Lambert follow in the footsteps of
alum hockey players Steve Pinizzotto and Jocelyn
Guimond who signed with professional
teams after the 2006-07 seasons. Pinizzotto now
plays for the Hershey Bears, the farm team of
the Washington Capitals. According to Smith,
Pinizzotto is “developing into a legitimate
pro player.”
Overall, Lambert and Smith have their work
cut out for them. Smith remarked, “The players
are stronger and faster at the next level.”
However, Smith believes RIT hockey has prepared
him. “Playing teams like Minnesota and
Boston College [in the National Championships]
this year is pretty similar to the skill level. Playing
those teams was a great experience, especially
beating them in their own building.”
