Broomfield, CO – The Rocky Mountain Rage have re-signed centerman Simon Watson, who returns for his second season in Broomfield. The club also signed second-year defenseman Mark Smith, giving the Rage 12 players under contract for the upcoming 2008-09 Central Hockey League season.

Watson burst onto the CHL scene as a rookie with the Lubbock Cotton Kings in 2006-07 when he was named a starter for the Southern Conference All-Star Team. After compiling 49 points (24g-25a) as a first-year pro, he posted nearly identical numbers last season (23g-28a-51pts) in his first campaign with the Rage. Watson's presence on the team paid quick dividends as he garnered CHL Player of the Week honors during the season's fourth week by recording back-to-back hat tricks in a pair of Rocky Mountain victories in early November.

“Simon came in last year and was the steady, basically point-a-game centerman we knew he would be,” said Rage Head Coach and General Manager Tracy Egeland. “He's an unselfish player, maybe too unselfish at times, and he's going to be a big part of our offense again this season.”

In addition to signing Watson, Rocky Mountain also came to terms with Smith. Following a collegiate career at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, the 6-foot-0, 191 lb. defenseman turned pro last year with the ECHL's Charlotte Checkers. He posted 15 points (6g-9a) and 41 penalty minutes while playing for Egeland's brother, Allan, who was an assistant coach for the Checkers. Smith also had a familial connection to Charlotte, where his older brother, Kenton, has played for the past five seasons.

“Mark is another solid addition to our blue line,” said Egeland. “My brother has good things to say about his ability, and we hope to take advantage of his offensive upside now that he has a year of experience under his belt.”