Admirals agree to terms with Smirnov

Norfolk, Va. - The Norfolk Admirals, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes and American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves, announced that forward Denis Smirnovhas signed a contract with the club for the 2022-23 season.

Smirnov, 25, joins the Admirals after spending the 2021-22 season with the Kalamazoo Wings where he posted five points (2g-3a) in 27 games.

The Moskva, Russia native played three seasons in the United States Hockey League with the Fargo Force and Indiana Ice posting at least 40 points in each season. In 2013-14 with the Ice, he was named to the All-Rookie Team and won a Clark Cup championship.

Smirnov played his college hockey at Penn State University. He had a breakout freshman season in 2016-17 with the Nittany Lions, registering 47 points which was the most of any first-year player in program history. That summer, Smirnov was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the sixth round (156th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. 

For the next three seasons, Smirnov asserted himself in the Penn State record books. He is currently ranked fifth on the all-time points list with 115, while his 50 goals and 65 assists rank fourth and fifth, respectively. He posted 27 multi-game games which is currently tied for third in Nittany Lions history.