BUFFALO, N.Y. – UMass Lowell junior forward C.J. Smith (Des Moines, Iowa) has decided to forego his senior year and signed a two-year entry level contract with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.  The announcement was made today in a press release issued by the Sabres.

Smith had an outstanding junior season scoring a career high 23 goals and 51 points as the River Hawks earned a share of the Hockey East regular season title and grabbed the crown as the Hockey East Tournament Champions.  He led the club in goals for the third consecutive season.   He was fourth among Hockey East players in goals and seventh in scoring.

"I feel I am ready to take the next step in my hockey career and will be forever grateful for the opportunity UMass Lowell gave me," said Smith. "UMass Lowell Hockey gave me so many tools to help me become a better hockey player from strength and conditioning with Devan (McConnell), to having access to video from Troy (Thibodeau) and coaches having meetings with you to teach you about your game and areas to improve."

The quick skating forward was at his best when the River Hawks had their backs to the wall.  Smith scored four goals and added four assists and a tournament leading eight-points as the hockey club played four straight elimination games en route to the Hockey East Championship.  He was named to the All-Tournament Team and was honored as the Tournament MVP.

His 23-goals are the most by a River Hawk in more than a decade and he is only the fourth UMass Lowell player to score more than 50 goals in his collegiate career in the last 15 years.  With 125 career points Smith ranks tenth on the  UMass Lowell Division I scoring list.

"CJ Smith has decided to take the next step in his hockey journey," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Norm Bazin.  "He led us in goals every year during his three seasons capturing several team championships in the process. We are proud of him and delighted he is getting an opportunity to pursue his dream of playing regularly in the NHL."

The River Hawk teams Smith played for went 73-33-14, a .667 winning percentage, claimed one Hockey East Championship and made two trips to the NCAA Tournament.  The 2017 club won 27 games, the second most in the school's Division I history.