College to the NHL: Stars sign F Reilly Smith to 3-year contract 2 days after college finale

FRISCO, Texas - The Dallas Stars have signed Reilly Smith to a three-year entry-level contract, taking the forward from college to the NHL.

The contract was announced Sunday, two days after the 20-year-old Smith played in an NCAA regional semifinal game for Miami (Ohio), a 4-3 overtime loss to UMass.

Smith, a third-round pick by the Stars in the 2009 NHL draft, will join the team for the four-game trip that starts Monday night at Calgary.

Smith led Miami and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with 30 goals and 18 assists in 39 games this season. He had 66 goals and 56 assists for 122 points in 121 career games.

Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk says Smith has all the characteristics of a player who will succeed at the NHL level.