The Clarence Creek, Ontario, native looks to improve on his 23-point rookie season with the Bombers. Smyth had 14 goals and 9 assists in 71 games played while also picking up 60 PIM.

"I know what it is like playing in the league and in Dayton and I can focus more on excelling and playing a bigger role for the team," Smyth said. "This year I'm looking forward to contributing more and working hard every day to get to the next level. Hopefully that will help to set us up for a good playoff run."

He also got his first taste of professional playoff hockey when the Bombers advanced to the North Division Quarterfinals against the Johnstown Chiefs. Smyth saw action in both games of the Quarterfinal series.

"Now that I've got a little bit of (playoff) experience, I know how important the regular season games are to finish in a good spot in the standings to set your self up for the playoffs," Smyth added. "It would be nice to go a lot farther this year compared to last; summer started way to early for us."

Smyth, a 6-foot-2-inch, 200-pound forward, recorded a trio of multi-goal games during the 2007-08 season, including in the Bombers' opening night contest against the Cincinnati Cyclones, where he netted two goals. Additionally, Smyth had two more multi-point games for a total of five throughout the year.

"Ryan really was our �unsung hero'," McDonald said, referring to his post-season team award. "He leads by example, playing strong in every role."

A four-year skater at Colgate University, Smyth appeared in 154 games for the Red Raiders, picking up 11 goals and 44 assists for 55 career points. He earned the Coaches Award his senior season after a career year (24 points).