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Bobby Smith (ice hockey)

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For other people with this name, see Robert Smith (disambiguation).
Bobby Smith
Born (1958-02-12) February 12, 1958 (age 67)
North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Minnesota North Stars
Montreal Canadiens
National team  Canada
NHL draft 1st overall, 1978
Minnesota North Stars
Playing career 1978–1993

Robert David Smith (born February 12, 1958) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He played for the Minnesota North Stars and Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played in four Stanley Cup Finals and won the 1986 Stanley Cup with the Canadiens. Smith was the majority owner of the Halifax Mooseheads junior hockey team for twenty years until February 2023.

Early life

[edit]

Smith was born on February 12, 1958, in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada[1] to Gerald and Jeanne Marie Smith.[2] While he was born in Sydney, Smith and his family moved to Ottawa, Ontario when he was two years old.[3] As a native of Ottawa, Smith grew up a fan of the Montreal Canadiens and became conversational in French.[4] While he was born into an athletic family, only his brother Dan joined him in playing ice hockey. His sister Mary Lou played tennis, and his other sister Paula played volleyball.[3][5] As a teenager, Smith played football at Laurentian High School and helped represent the Ottawa Tennis Club at various national tournaments.[3] However, he was forced to drop tennis once he joined the Ottawa 67's as hockey and school became too consuming.[6][7]

Playing career

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Major junior

[edit]

As a youth playing in the mosquito division as a defenceman, Smith scored 36 goals and seven assists over 14 games.[8] He then played with the Ottawa 67's peewees alongside Doug Wilson, Tim Higgins, and Ron Davidson.[9] Upon advancing to the Ottawa Golden Knights of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, Smith recorded 40 goals and 26 assists through 30 games.[8] Following the 1974–75 season, Smith joined the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League (OMJHL). He was one of eight midget players protected by the 67s and was thus ineligible for the OMJHL draft.[10] Upon making his OMJHL debut, Smith recorded 12 goals through his first 16 games of the 1975-76 season.[11] He played the majority of his rookie season on the left wing and finished with 24 goals and 34 assists.[6]

Following the departure of Larry Skinner, head coach Brian Kilrea moved Smith into a centreman position between John Wilson and Yvan Joly for the 1976–77 season. In this new role, Smith scored six goals and six assists through the 67s first eight games.[6] He continued to lead the team in scoring through mid-November with 19 goals and 23 assists.[3] As the season progressed, Kilrea allowed Smith to move between all three forward positions instead of remaining as the centerman.[12] He finished the regular-season leading the league with 65 goals and ranked third in scoring with 135 points.[13] Smith continued to top the league's leaderboard as the 67s advanced to the 1977 Memorial Cup against the New Westminster Bruins.[14] While the 67s failed to clinch the championship title,[14] Smith tied with teammate Doug Wilson for the tournament lead with six goals and 12 points.[15]

Smith returned to the Ottawa 67s for the 1977–78 season, where he set new personal, franchise, and league records with 123 assists and 192 points.[16] While also competing with the 67s, Smith began the first year of his science degree at the University of Ottawa.[17] Smith scored 12 goals through the first five games of the season, including five goals in a 10–2 win over the Niagara Falls Flyers on October 3.[18] In December 1977, Smith was named to Team Canada to represent his home country at the 1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[19] He scored a goal and an assist over three pre-tournament games despite requiring three stitches to close a gash over his eye.[20][21] Following Team Canada's loss to Sweden, Smith immediately rejoined the 67s for their game against Toronto the next day.[17] Throughout January and February, Smith and Wayne Gretzky remained head-to-head in leading the league in scoring.[22] While he was named to the OMJHL All-Star team, an illness forced him to bow out of the contest.[23] Although he spent the majority of the season neck-and-neck with Gretzky, Smith eventually pulled ahead and finished the season with a record-setting and league-leading 123 assists and 192 points.[24] His points total beat the OMJHL's previous record set by Mike Kaszycki during the 1975–76 season.[25] As a result of his record-setting season, Smith received the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the OMJHL's scoring leader and the Red Tilson Trophy as the OMJHL's most outstanding player. He was also voted the CHL Player of the Year for the entire Canadian Hockey League.[16] His accomplishments made him the unanimous top draft choice for the 1978 NHL amateur draft.[26]

As the 67's qualified for the OMJHL playoffs they faced off against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Once Minnesota North Stars general manager Lou Nanne was certain that the team had the worst record in the NHL, he flew to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to watch Smith in person.[27] Despite concerns regarding team finances, Nanne publically announced that the team would be drafting Smith in the 1978 amateur draft.[27][28] Nanne had a personal connection to Smith as their brothers were close friends and former teammates.[29] Smith assisted on Jimmy Fox's game-winning goal to help the 67s defeat the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and advance to the OMJHL semi-finals against the Peterborough Petes.[30]

Prior to the amateur draft, Smith also fielded a $1.25 million, five-year offer from the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association (WHA).[31] Nanne also received nearly daily phone calls from Philadelphia Flyers general manager Keith Allen who was trying to deal for the rights to Smith. It was reported that one of the deals offered included Paul Holmgren and three other players for Smith's draft rights.[29] Smith later revealed that five WHA teams reached out to sign him before the NHL draft, but money was a deciding factor.[32] After being drafted first overall by the North Stars, Smith announced that he had signed a three-year $1 million contract with the team.[33] The Minneapolis Star reported that Smith had signed the contract seven weeks before the amateur draft, and it included a brand endorsement deal with a local ice cream manufacturer.[34]

Professional

[edit]

First stint with Minnesota (1978–1983)

[edit]

Smith joined the North Stars for their 1978 training camp and immediately impressed the coaching staff.[35] Through seven exhibition games, Smith tied for the team lead with five points.[36] Once the 1978–79 season began, Smith recorded three goals and three assists over his first 14 games.[37] His first NHL goal came on October 18, 1978 against the Vancouver Canucks.[38] By February, Smith had recorded 23 goals and 28 assists to lead all NHL rookies in scoring.[39][40] He finished his rookie season leading the team with 30 goals and 44 assists for 74 points. His points total was the most scored by a rookie in franchise history.[41] Once the North Stars were eliminated from Stanley Cup playoff consideration, Smith was loaned to Team Canada.[42] As a result of his rookie season, Smith received the City of Ottawa's Athlete of the Year award[43] and the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year.[41]

On March 25, 1980, Smith recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a 7–2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.[44]

Montreal Canadiens and winning the Stanley Cup (1983–1990)

[edit]

Smith struggled with the North Stars' new head coach and decrease in ice time at the start of the 1983–84 season, and requested a trade.[9][4] While Nanne originally refused, he eventually traded Smith to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Keith Acton and Mark Napier on October 28. Smith scored 10 goals in his first 11 games with the team.[4] He later won the Stanley Cup in 1986 with Montreal.[45] On November 6, 1986, Smith recorded his fourth NHL hat-trick to lead the Canadiens to a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings.[46]

On February 4, 1988, Smith scored his 800th NHL point in a 7–3 loss to the Boston Bruins.[47]

On November 24, 1988, Smith recorded his 300th NHL goal in a 5–3 loss to the Quebec Nordiques.[48]

On November 21, 1989, Smith recorded his 600th NHL assist on Mike Keane's first-period goal against the Calgary Flames.[49]

Return to Minnesota and retirement (1990–1993)

[edit]

On August 7, 1990, Smith was reacquired by the North Stars in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick.[50] Smith played in his 900th career NHL game on October 21, 1990, in a 7–1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.[51]

After experiencing a three-week scoring drought, Smith recorded his 1,000th career NHL point on November 30, 1991, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He recorded a goal and an assist in the Stars' 4–3 win to become the 33rd player in NHL history to reach the 1,000 point milestone.[52][53] He reached his 1000th career NHL game later that season.[54]

After it was announced that the North Stars were relocating to Dallas, Texas, Smith announced he would retire at the end of the 1992–93 season.[55]

Post-retirement

[edit]

During his first few years with the Minnesota North Stars, Smith enrolled in business classes at the University of Minnesota. While he stopped before earning his degree to focus solely on hockey, he resumed classes after retiring in 1993.[56][57] He eventually graduated with a bachelor's degree in business and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management.[58] Following this, Smith served as general manager of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes from 1996 to 2001.[59] While still living in Arizona, Smith learned that the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) were available for sale and became their majority owner in 2003.[60] While he sold the team in 2023, he remained as a consultant to help ease the transition.[61]

Personal life

[edit]

Smith and his wife Beth (née Moonie) have three children together.[7]

Achievements and awards

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  • OHL Second All Star Team (1976, 1977)
  • Memorial Cup All Star Team (1977)
  • George Parsons Trophy (1977)
  • OHL Most Valuable Player (1978)
  • OHL First All Star Team (1978)
  • OHL Record for Most Assists (123) in a Single Season (1977–78)
  • OHL Record for Most Points (192) in a Single Season (1977–78)
  • OHL Record for Most Power-Play Goals (5) in One Game
  • CHL Player of the Year (1978)
  • NHL Calder Memorial Trophy (1979)
  • NHL Stanley Cup Championship (1986)
  • NHL All Star (1981, 1982, 1989, 1991)

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1974–75 Ottawa Golden Knights Midget 58 74 64 138 — — — — — —
1975–76 Ottawa 67's OMJHL 62 24 34 58 21 12 2 1 3 4
1976–77 Ottawa 67's OMJHL 64 65 70 135 52 19 16 16 32 29
1977–78 Ottawa 67's OMJHL 61 69 123 192 44 16 15 15 30 10
1978–79 Minnesota North Stars NHL 80 30 44 74 39 — — — — —
1979–80 Minnesota North Stars NHL 61 27 56 83 24 15 1 13 14 9
1980–81 Minnesota North Stars NHL 78 29 64 93 73 19 8 17 25 13
1981–82 Minnesota North Stars NHL 80 43 71 114 82 4 2 4 6 5
1982–83 Minnesota North Stars NHL 77 24 53 77 81 9 6 4 10 17
1983–84 Minnesota North Stars NHL 10 3 6 9 9 — — — — —
1983–84 Montreal Canadiens NHL 70 26 37 63 62 15 2 7 9 8
1984–85 Montreal Canadiens NHL 65 16 40 56 59 12 5 6 11 30
1985–86 Montreal Canadiens NHL 79 31 55 86 55 20 7 8 15 22
1986–87 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80 28 47 75 72 17 9 9 18 19
1987–88 Montreal Canadiens NHL 78 27 66 93 78 11 3 4 7 8
1988–89 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80 32 51 83 69 21 11 8 19 46
1989–90 Montreal Canadiens NHL 53 12 14 26 35 11 1 4 5 6
1990–91 Minnesota North Stars NHL 73 15 31 46 60 23 8 8 16 56
1991–92 Minnesota North Stars NHL 68 9 37 46 109 7 1 4 5 6
1992–93 Minnesota North Stars NHL 45 5 7 12 10 — — — — —
NHL totals 1,077 357 679 1,036 917 184 64 96 160 245

International

[edit]
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
1978 Canada WJC 3 1 4 5 0
1982 Canada WC 8 5 3 8 0
Junior totals 3 1 4 5 0
Senior totals 8 5 3 8 0

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bobby Smith". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  2. ^ "Smith plays in win hours after tragedy". The Ottawa Citizen. April 23, 1981. Retrieved March 5, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d Fidlin, Ken (November 19, 1976). "Bobby Smith surprise bonus for Kilrea's 67s". The Ottawa Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c Elliott, Bob (November 22, 1983). "Bobby Smith: toast of the town". The Ottawa Citizen – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Burke, Tim (December 9, 1986). "Smith's rollercoaster ride ends with star status in Montreal". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved March 5, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b c "Bobby Smith 67s' biggest surprise". The Ottawa Journal. October 26, 1976. Retrieved March 5, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b McRae, Earl (May 21, 1989). "Smith maintains love for tennis". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 5, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b Elliott Jr., Bob (March 4, 1976). "67's Bob Smith nears OHA points record". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b Elliott, Bob (October 29, 1983). "Trade to Montreal pleases Smith". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Peterkin, Ron (September 10, 1975). "'Rebuilt' '67s hammer Royals in '75 debut". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 5, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "'67s finish trip successfully". The Ottawa Citizen. November 3, 1975. Retrieved March 5, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Cleary, Martin (January 13, 1977). "This Pimpernel wears red, white and black". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Casey, Tom (March 19, 1977). "Smith's season". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b Casey, Tom (May 16, 1977). "67's patented rally not enough as Bruins claim Memorial Cup". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Next step is the draft". The Ottawa Citizen. March 16, 1977. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  16. ^ a b Juby, Jordan (May 13, 1978). "Smith votes Canada's top junior". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b MacCabe, Eddie (January 4, 1978). "He can always write". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Kealey, Clem (October 4, 1977). "A common name an only handicap". The Ottawa Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Juby, Jordan (November 4, 1977). "Bobby Smith ready and eager for junior world hockey series". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Mertl, Steve (December 22, 1977). "Smith earns Team Canada berth". The Ottawa Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Smith injured". The Ottawa Citizen. December 20, 1977. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Smith has points lead". The Sault Star. February 11, 1978. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Flu hits all-stars". The Ottawa Journal. February 7, 1978. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Juby, Jordan (March 21, 1978). "Bobby Smith's vintage year best-ever in OHA". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "67's Smith the best!". The Ottawa Citizen. March 6, 1978. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  26. ^ Kealey, Clem (March 25, 1978). "Being number one has disadvantages". The Ottawa Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  27. ^ a b Kealy, Clem (May 27, 1978). "As a GM Lou's an expert analyst". The Ottawa Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  28. ^ Kealey, Clem (April 13, 1978). "Smith a budding millionaire". The Ottawa Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  29. ^ a b Hartman, Sid (June 11, 1978). "Nanne knew Smith". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  30. ^ Kealey, Clem (April 10, 1978). "67s reach another peak". The Ottawa Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Elliott Jr., Bob (June 14, 1978). "Smith to join Gretzky's 'Millionaires Club'". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Smith sure of own scoring touch". The Duluth News Tribune. November 7, 1978. Retrieved March 7, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  33. ^ Juby, Jordan (June 16, 1976). "67s not moving to Bloomington, but Ottawa hockey colony grows". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Stars sign, then draft Smith". The Duluth News Tribune. June 16, 1978. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Stoneking, Dan (September 15, 1978). "North Stars' rookie Smith away to point-a-minute start at Met". The Minneapolis Star. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  36. ^ Pates, Kevin (October 4, 1978). "North Stars' Bobby Smith still his own biggest critic". The Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  37. ^ Stoneking, Dan (November 15, 1978). "Bobby Smith: A six-week assessment". The Minneapolis Star. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "North Stars, Canucks ready to change their images". The Windsor Star. October 19, 1978. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  39. ^ Gilbert, John (February 21, 1979). "North Stars rookie Bobby Smith earns his top rank". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "Stars' top pick leading rookies". The Duluth News Tribune. February 28, 1979. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  41. ^ a b "Calder awarded to Smith". The Duluth News Tribune. June 12, 1979. Retrieved March 2, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  42. ^ Coleman, Jim (April 2, 1979). "Team Canada's mission seems impossible, but..." North Bay Nugget. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  43. ^ Juby, Jordan (April 4, 1979). "Bobby Smith pleased about ACT selection". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "North Stars 7, Maple Leafs 2". The Boston Globe. March 26, 1980. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "Canadiens Are Champions". Saint John Times Globe. May 26, 1986. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Canadiens pull a fash finish from Bobby Smith's hat trick". The Miami News. November 7, 1986. Retrieved March 8, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  47. ^ "Bruins 7, Canadiens 3". The Kansas City Times. February 5, 1988. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "Nordiques 5-Canadiens 3". USA Today. November 25, 1988. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  49. ^ Beacon, Bill (November 21, 1989). "Wounded Canadiens edge flickering Flames". Whitehorse Daily Star. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "Welcome back: Stars reacquire Bobby Smith". St. Cloud Times. August 8, 1990. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "Chelios leads Blackhawks 7-1 rout of North Stars". The Austin Daily Herald. October 22, 1990. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "Craig, Stars thwart Leafs". The Duluth News Tribune. December 1, 1991. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  53. ^ "Sharks prey on Alberta beef and leave with full stomachs". The Vancouver Sun. December 2, 1991. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  54. ^ "Analysis". Minnesota Star Tribune. January 11, 1992. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  55. ^ "Veteran North Star center Bobby Smith, 35, will retire". The Bangor Daily News. April 21, 1993. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  56. ^ Blount, Rachel (April 21, 1993). "Stars' Bobby Smith is ready for life without hockey". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  57. ^ Blount, Rachel (April 21, 1993). "Smith". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  58. ^ Scoggins, Chip (February 20, 2016). "Scoggins: Bobby Smith is still a fan favorite in Minnesota". Minnesota Star Tribune. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016.
  59. ^ Millea, John (November 30, 2000). "A two-Smith town, for now". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  60. ^ McLeod, Steve (September 19, 2003). "Smith thrilled to return to major junior". Saint John Telegraph Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  61. ^ Palov, Will (February 22, 2023). "Bobby Smith sells majority share of Halifax Mooseheads to Michigan businessman Sam Simon". Simon Group Holdings. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
[edit]
Preceded by NHL first overall draft pick
1978 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minnesota North Stars first round draft pick
1978 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy
1979 		Succeeded by
Preceded by CHL Player of the Year
1978 		Succeeded by
Preceded by General Manager of the Phoenix Coyotes
1996–2000 		Succeeded by
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