Detroit native Jalen Smereck becomes first Flint Firebird to sign NHL contract

By @MichaelCaples –

Detroit native Jalen Smereck has accomplished a first for the Flint Firebirds’ organization.

The Michigan-born defenseman, acquired via trade in the off-season from the Oshawa Generals, is now the first member of the Flint Firebirds to sign an NHL contract.

Smereck officially signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes, the NHL club announced today.

“This is a surreal moment for my family and I,” said Smereck in a release. “This is an opportunity that I don’t take lightly and am very thankful to the entire Arizona Coyotes organization. There is still a lot of work to be done but I can guarantee that I will work my hardest to get better everyday.”

Smereck, 19, recorded 25 points on the blue line for the Generals last season. He was a free-agent invite to the Coyotes’ training camp this fall.

“This is an awesome day for Jalen and his family,” said Flint Firebirds general manager George Burnett. “This is another great example of determination and perseverance by a young man who was a late draft selection into our league and was not picked in the NHL Entry Draft.”