Smirnov returns to Admirals

Action photo of Denis Smirnov of the Norfolk Admirals

NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk Admirals announced they have signed forward Denis Smirnov to a contract for the 2023-24 season.

Smirnov, 25, returns to Norfolk after playing in 39 games with the Admirals last season. Despite missing parts of the season due to injuries, he posted 21 points (9g-12a).

From 2016-20, Smirnov skated collegiately at Penn State University. In his freshman season, he posted 47 points (19g-28a), which was the most of any first-year player in program history. Later that summer, Smirnov was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the sixth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The next season, he totaled 27 points in 30 games. All told, Smirnov played in 137 career games with the Nittany Lions and registered 115 points (50g-65a).