SMITH INVITED TO ALL-STAR WEEKEND

CALGARY -The NHL has confirmed goaltender Mike Smith has been invited to the 2018 NHL All-Star Weekend in Tampa Bay, FL.
Smith, who was named an NHL All-Star last year as well, will replace LA Kings netminder Jonathan Quick on the Pacific Division roster.
"It's a huge honour, obviously. Getting the call yesterday and them telling me I've been invited ... obviously I'm thrilled," Smith said following Wednesday's game against the Kings.
"Last year was my first (All-Star event). It's a great experience to be around the best players in the world and to have my family there was something that I'll cherish forever.
"The boys have been asking me for a month now if I'm going to the All-Star Game and I've had to tell them 'No, you don't every single season,' so it was nice to pick them up at school yesterday and tell them that I got the invite and that we're going to Tampa. They're pretty excited."

Smith's wife, Brigitte Acton and children, Aksel, Ajax, Nixon, and Kingsley, will make the trek to Tampa with him, making the experience even more special for the goaltender.
"This point in my career, I think I cherish it more because of my family," the 35-year-old noted. "My kids are able to understand what's going on a little bit. They had so much fun last year."
Smith in the midst of a tremendous season, holding a 20-13-6 record with a 2.39 GAA and a .926 save percentage. Among NHL goaltenders with 30 or more games played, he ranks second in save percentage and fourth in GAA.