Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins‘ goalie Casey DeSmith(1) has already been on quite the journey as he exits his 2nd pro season.
In 2016/2017, he won the Harry “Haps” Holmes Award for least goals allowed per game along with teammate Tristan Jarry.
The 6′ 180 lbs. net minder played a career high 29 AHL games posting an outstanding 21-5 record with a 2.05 GAA and .926 SV% with 1 shut out.
He signed a one-year deal with the club after being loaned from affiliate Wheeling Nailers towards the end of his rookie campaign, stepping in and backstopping the team through the second round of the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs.
In 13 ECHL games through his first year he had decent numbers but nothing like he was able to do in the higher league.
He was better during three seasons at University Of New Hampshire but didn’t even play in his senior year due to some litigation that he was eventually cleared of.
The 25-year old may just be playing himself into at least a one-year entry level deal from an NHL club, whether that will be the parent club, Pittsburgh Penguins remains to be seen.