Former Niagara IceDogs goaltender Jeremy Smith has been named a co-winner of the Kelly Cup playoffs ‘Most Valuable Player’ award along with fellow Cincinnati Cyclones rookie goaltender Robert Mayer. The Cyclones defeated Idaho in five games to win their second Kelly Cup championship in three seasons.
 
Smith, 21, turned in a 9-7-1 record during the postseason with a 2.67 goals against average, eighth-best in the playoffs, and a .907 save percentage. While Jeremy did not play in the Kelly Cup Finals, his play was instrumental in helping the club get through the opening two rounds with wins over South Carolina and Charlotte. He turned in a 23-15-2 record during the regular season with a 2.63 goals against average—second-best in the league. Smith was also the winning goaltender for the American Conference at the All-Star Game in January.

Smith and Mayer become the second and third Cyclones players to ever win the ‘Most Valuable Player’ award during the Kelly Cup playoffs. Cedrick Desjardins claimed the honor in 2008.