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Penn State Hockey’s Denis Smirnov Selected by Colorado Avalanche

The sophomore forward becomes the third Nittany Lion to be selected in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

By Colin Piatt
Photo By Heather Weikel

Following an extraordinary campaign in which he led all NCAA freshman in scoring, Denis Smirnov has been selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the 6th round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Smirnov finished the season with 47 points in 39 games, which set a program record for points in a season. Smirnov is also the third Nittany Lion selected in the 2017 Draft, setting a program mark that surpasses the 2013 Draft, when a pair of Nittany Lions, Eamon McAdam and Mike Williamson, were selected.

Smirnov is likely to sign a pro deal before completing his four years of eligibility, especially if he duplicates his freshman performance. He would join McAdam, Casey Bailey and Vince Pedrie as the only Nittany Lions to sign a pro deal before fulfilling their NCAA eligibility.

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