Stan Smyl
Encyclopedia
Stanley Philip Smyl is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey
winger
. As a junior
, he appeared in three consecutive Memorial Cup
s with the New Westminster Bruins
, winning the championship twice in 1977
and 1978
. He was selected 40th overall by the Vancouver Canucks
in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft
and went on to play his entire National Hockey League
(NHL) career with the team until his retirement in 1991.
Nicknamed "Steamer" by Bellingham Blazer fans for his relentless and hard-nosed style of play, he served as captain for a team record eight seasons. He retired as the Canucks' all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points – all of which have been since surpassed by Trevor Linden
and Markus Naslund
. His assist record was also passed by Henrik Sedin
. Smyl's number 12 was the first retired number in Canucks' history, as it was raised to the Pacific Coliseum
rafters in 1991. It now hangs with Trevor Linden
's number 16 and Markus Naslund's number 19 at Rogers Arena.
The end of his playing career coincided with the beginning of a 13-year coaching career, serving as an assistant with the Canucks and a head coach with the club's minor league affiliates: the Syracuse Crunch
, Kansas City Blades
and Manitoba Moose
. Upon being let go as coach of the Moose, he was re-assigned to the Canucks' front office where he has served as Director of Player Development and Director of Collegiate Scouting, before being appointed his current role as Senior Advisor on Hockey Operations to General Manager Mike Gillis
.
with the Bellingham Blazers
of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL) for one season in 1974–75. Notching 33 points in 25 playoff games, he led the Blazers to a Fred Page Cup
title as league champions in a 4–2 win over the Kelowna Buckaroos
. Advancing to a best-of-seven series with the Alberta Junior Hockey League
(AJHL) champions for a berth in the 1975 Royal Bank Cup
, the Blazers lost the Pacific regional title to the Spruce Grove Mets.
Following his playoffs with the Blazers, Smyl debuted at the major junior level with the New Westminster Bruins
of the Western Canada Hockey League
(WCHL). He appeared in three playoff games, being a part of the Bruins franchise's first President's Cup as WCHL champions. Joining the Bruins full-time the following season, Smyl put up 74 points in 72 games as the Bruins captured their second consecutive WCHL title. Earning a berth in the 1976 Memorial Cup
, they lost the Canadian major junior
title to the Hamilton Fincups
.
In 1976–77, New Westminster repeated as President's Cup champions as Smyl posted 66 points in the regular season, then 13 points in 13 playoff games. Returning to the Memorial Cup
, the Bruins won their first major junior title in franchise history. Playing in his third and final major junior season, Smyl recorded a WCJHL career high 76 points over 53 games. In the 1978 WCHL playoffs, he notched 35 points in 20 games, capturing his third consecutive President's Cup with the Bruins. At the 1978 Memorial Cup
, Smyl was named the tournament MVP
and received tournament All-Star Team honours with 14 points in five games. The Bruins became the first team to repeat as Memorial Cup champions in consecutive years as the Bruins won for the second straight year.
by the Vancouver Canucks
. Smyl entered the NHL with the Canucks the following season in 1978–79. Playing on a line with fellow rookies Thomas Gradin
and Curt Fraser
, he scored 14 goals and 38 points over 62 games in his first season. He also proved to be physical, earning 89 penalty minutes as well. As the Canucks qualified for the 1979 playoffs as the final seed
, Smyl scored his first NHL post-season goal in game one of the preliminary round against the Philadelphia Flyers
. Vancouver won the game 3–2, but went on to lose the best-of-three series in three games. Smyl also played three games for the Central Hockey League's Dallas Black Hawks
during the campaign.
Smyl became a point-per-game player in his second NHL season, leading the Canucks in scoring
with 31 goals and 78 points over 77 games in 1979–80. In the second half of the season, he registered a team record point-scoring streak that lasted 12 games (five goals and 22 points) between February 7 and March 4, 1980. The streak broke Dennis Kearns
' 11-game mark, set three years prior in March 1977. Shortly after the streak ended, he notched his first NHL career hat trick
against the goaltender Pat Riggin
during a game against the Atlanta Flames
on March 7. Nearly a month later, he notched four assists in one game – a 5–0 win against the Edmonton Oilers
on April 1, 1980.
The following campaign, Smyl was involved in an on-ice incident during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins
on March 17, 1981. During the first period, opposing forward Gary Rissling
speared him in the face. Joined by several teammates, Smyl began fighting
Rissling. Consequently, Smyl and Rissling both received minor penalties
for roughing and major penalties for fighting, while additionally being ejected from the game. A week later, Rissling received a four-game suspension from NHL executive vice president Brian O'Neill. Smyl was not injured on the play and appared in all 80 games for the Canucks in 1980–81, notching 25 goals and 63 points.
Early in the 1981–82 season, Smyl recorded a five-point game, notching a hat trick and two assists, in an 8–4 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 31, 1981. Late in the campaign, he was named team captain
, succeeding defenceman Kevin McCarthy, who had broken his ankle during practice. He went on to complete the campaign with 34 goals and 78 points over 80 games.
Despite finishing the regular season with a losing record, the Canucks embarked on a playoff run to the franchise's first Stanley Cup Finals
in team history. In the fifth and deciding game of the semi-finals against the Chicago Black Hawks
, Smyl notched two goals in a 6–2 win to capture the Clarence Campbell Trophy as conference champions, sending the Canucks to the Finals. Facing the New York Islanders
, who had finished the regular season 41 points ahead of the Canucks and had won the Stanley Cup
the previous two years, they were swept in four games. Smyl scored the Canucks' only goal in their 3–1 defeat in game four, tying the game at 1–1 in the first period on his own rebound before Mike Bossy
scored twice to secure the Islanders' win. Smyl accumulated 19 points in 18 playoff games, second in team scoring to Thomas Gradin.
appointed Smyl as McCarthy's permanent successor as team captain. The decision was influenced by the Canucks' run to the Finals under Smyl's captaincy. Neale commented, "We reached a tremendous high last spring under Stan as captain and we feel we want to continue that atmosphere." Consequently, McCarthy asked to be traded, but remained with the team for one-and-a-half seasons thereafter until he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins
in January 1984.
In his first full season as captain, Smyl recorded career highs with 38 goals and 50 assists. In addition to leading the club in scoring for the second time in his career, his 88 points established a club record (it was broken by Patrik Sundstrom
's 91 points the following season). Late in the campaign, he recorded the most prolific month by a Canucks player in team history with 31 points (10 goals and 21 assists) over 16 games in March 1983. During that span, he reeled off a 13-game point streak from February 27 to March 23 that included eight goals and 27 points. At 13 games, the streak surpassed the previous team record he set in 1980, but was quickly broken by teammate Darcy Rota
six days later with a 14-game scoring streak of his own. Smyl, Rota and Gradin formed a high-scoring top line for Vancouver; all three teammates finished among the league's top 30 players in points. Entering the 1983 playoffs, the Canucks attempted to defend their Campbell Trophy of the previous season, but were defeated in four games of a best-of-five series against the Calgary Flames
. Smyl helped the Canucks stave off elimination in game three, scoring the game winning goal with 57 seconds to go in regulation, but they were defeated the following game.
The following season in 1983–84, Smyl's production dipped to 67 points. Vancouver met the Flames in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year, losing in four games once more. Smyl and the Canucks would not qualify for the playoffs again for five years. He remained in the 60-point range in the 1984–85 and 1985–86 seasons. On February 27, 1985, Smyl scored his 187th career goal to pass Don Lever
as the Canucks' all-time leading goal-scorer.
Late in the 1985–86 season, Smyl suffered torn knee ligament
s due to a blindsiding check from opposing forward Alain Côté during the final minute of a 7–6 win against the Quebec Nordiques
on March 26, 1987. He was sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. In the off-season, Smyl was re-signed by the Canucks to a multi-year contract in July 1986.
The following season, the Canucks met the Nordiques in a game on October 13, 1986. Smyl fought Côté during the game, but he was consequently sidelined by re-injuring his knee. Upon returning to the lineup, Smyl was involved in an altercation with Montreal Canadiens
forward Stéphane Richer
that led to a bench-clearing brawl during a game on November 2. After spearing Richer late in the third period, Canadiens forward Claude Lemieux
then sucker-punched Smyl in the head on his way to the bench. A total of 139 penalty minutes were assessed to both teams and the Canadiens went on to win the game 5–3.
Later in the season, Smyl became the Canucks' all-time leader in regular season games played with 648, passing Harold Snepsts
in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 5, 1985. The following month, Smyl became the Canucks all-time points leader on December 14, 1986. Notching his sixth career hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks, he recorded his 551st career point to pass Thomas Gradin's all-time leading mark of 550. A little over a month later, Smyl was awarded the first and only penalty shot
of his NHL career during a game against the Calgary Flames
on January 16, 1987. Facing goaltender Mike Vernon, he scored to help the Canucks win 9–5. There was speculation at the trade deadline in March 1987 that Smyl would be traded to a playoff contender, as the Canucks were in the midst of another losing season. Smyl responded by asserting that Vancouver was his home and he had no desire to be dealt away. He finished the campaign with 20 goals and 43 points over 66 games in an injury-shortened season. It marked the lowest points total of his career and the start of a decrease in production in the remaining four seasons before his retirement.
After recording eight consecutive 20-plus goal seasons, Smyl's production dipped to 12 goals and 37 points over 57 games in 1987–88. Injured during the season, Smyl was temporarily replaced by defenceman Daryl Stanley
as team captain in his absence. The following year, Smyl appeared in his last playoffs with the Canucks, as well as his first in five years. The Canucks took the President's Trophy winner Calgary Flames
to seven games in the first round, but lost the deciding game in overtime. Smyl had an opportunity to win the series for Vancouver on a breakaway in overtime, but was stopped by a Mike Vernon glove save. Smyl was held without a point in the series.
In 1989–90, Smyl played his last season as team captain and recorded 16 points in 47 games. He was often a healthy scratch and did not score his first goal of the season until the final game on March 31, 1990, a 6–3 win against the Los Angeles Kings
(he had not previously scored since April 2, 1989 – the final game of the previous season). At the start of the next season, Smyl resigned his captaincy and it was split throughout the season between Dan Quinn
, Doug Lidster
and Trevor Linden
(the captaincy would be retained by Linden). Smyl had held the position for eight years, the longest tenure among Canucks captains all-time. He scored his last NHL goal on December 5, 1990, against the New Jersey Devils
. He played his last game on March 16, 1991, against the New York Islanders
. After managing 14 points in 45 games, Smyl retired at the end of the 1990–91 season.
on November 3, 1991. In 2000, he was inducted into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame.
Smyl's all-time team records stood for more than a decade until Trevor Linden (who was part of the Canucks tri-captaincy after Smyl resigned the captaincy) overtook them, beginning with his goals mark in 2002–03. The following season in 2003–04, Linden played in his 897th game and recorded his 674th point as a Canuck to surpass Smyl on both marks. Smyl's last major mark of assists was passed by Linden on November 8, 2007. Later Canucks captain Markus Näslund
would, in turn, surpass Linden's marks in goals and points, but not games. Smyl was later present as Linden's retirement ceremony as he joined Smyl as the only two players to currently have their jersey numbers retired by the Canucks (Näslund will join them in that honor during the 2010-11 season).
At the 2010 Winter Olympics
, held in Vancouver
, Smyl was named the official ambassador
for Molson Canadian
Hockey House – a pavilion
for hockey fans and players that was temporarily raised in Downtown Vancouver. He also ran a leg with the Olympic torch on the last day of the relay on February 12, 2010.
, Smyl was selected to the Canadian national junior team
for the 1978 World Junior Championships
, held in Québec
, Canada
. Playing as the host nation, Canada earned the bronze medal, having finished third in round-robin play
. Smyl notched a goal and an assist over six games.
Smyl got his first and only opportunity to represent Canada's men's team in 1985. After the Canucks became the first team eliminated from contention for the 1985 Stanley Cup playoffs
, Hockey Canada
selected Smyl and four other Canucks – Doug Halward
, Doug Lidster
, Tony Tanti
and Cam Neely
– to the national team for the 1985 World Championships
in Prague
, Czechoslovakia
. Facing the Soviet Union
in the second last game of the final round, Smyl scored the game winner, his only goal of the tournament, for Canada in a 3–1 victory. The win placed Canada in contention for their first gold medal at the World Championships in 24 years. However, they lost the gold medal to Czechoslovakia in a 5–3 loss. Smyl contributed two points in 10 games while playing on a line with Brian MacLellan
and Bernie Nicholls
.
, to Pat Quinn
. He was honoured for his playing career, spent entirely with the Canucks, during a pre-game ceremony on November 3. In his third year behind the bench, Smyl was involved in his second Stanley Cup Finals with the Canucks in 1994
. Vancouver went to seven games with the New York Rangers
, losing 4 - 3 in the deciding game. Smyl helped coach opposite Rangers assistant coach Colin Campbell, who was also a part of the Canucks' 1982 Cup run as a player.
Between 1994 and 1999, the Canucks' head coaching position changed five times. Ley overtook head coaching duties from 1994 to 1996 as Quinn returned to his executive positions as president and general manager. After Ley was fired late in the 1995–96 season, Quinn served as the Canucks' interim head coach until Tom Renney
was hired for the beginning of the 1996–97 season. In turn, Renney was fired after one-and-a-half seasons and replaced by Mike Keenan
. Throughout the changes, Smyl remained in his position as assistant under all four head coaches.
(AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch
. He became the second coach in Crunch history, replacing Jack McIlhargey
, who had served for five seasons. He coached the Crunch to a .500 season in his debut behind the bench. In the 2000 off-season, the Canucks signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Kansas City Blades
of the International Hockey League (IHL). Smyl was re-assigned to Kansas City, replacing their previous coach Paul MacLean.
When the IHL folded following Smyl's first season with the Blades, he was moved back to the AHL, named coach of the Manitoba Moose
on June 28, 2001. He coached them to the second round in 2002–03
. On March 2, 2004, he notched his 100th win as head coach of the Moose in a 3–0 win over the Milwaukee Admirals
. However, as the Moose missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years in 2004
, Smyl was dismissed as head coach on June 7, 2004, and re-assigned within the Canucks organization. He was replaced by Washington Capitals
assistant coach Randy Carlyle
. Some Moose players later commented that Carlyle exhibited a stronger presence and was more demanding in comparison to Smyl.
of the AHL and Victoria Salmon Kings
of the ECHL
. He served in that capacity for four years until Mike Gillis
took over as Canucks general manager from Dave Nonis
after the 2007–08 season. Gillis expanded the Canucks' player development and scouting departments and assigned Smyl the newly-created position as Director of Collegiate Scouting. Former NHL player Dave Gagner
assumed Smyl's former Director of Player Development role. After one season in that role, Smyl was re-positioned, to his current role as Senior Advisor to Gillis before the 2008–09 season
on September 11, 2008. In his duties as Advisor he still partially overseas collegiate scouting.
. He left home at 13 years old to pursue his hockey career in British Columbia
. His wife is Jennifer Smyl.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
. As a junior
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
, he appeared in three consecutive Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
s with the New Westminster Bruins
New Westminster Bruins
The New Westminster Bruins were a junior ice hockey team from the Western Hockey League. There were two franchises that carried this name:* 1971–1981...
, winning the championship twice in 1977
1977 Memorial Cup
The 1977 Memorial Cup occurred May 8-May 14 at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia. Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Ottawa 67's, Sherbrooke Castors and New...
and 1978
1978 Memorial Cup
The 1978 Memorial Cup occurred May 6-May 13 at the Sudbury Community Arena in Sudbury, Ontario, and at the Sault Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey...
. He was selected 40th overall by the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft
1978 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1978 NHL Amateur Draft occurred at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec on June 15, 1978. It was the last draft to be called the "Amateur Draft" before the process was renamed to the NHL Entry Draft in 1979.-Selections by round:...
and went on to play his entire National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) career with the team until his retirement in 1991.
Nicknamed "Steamer" by Bellingham Blazer fans for his relentless and hard-nosed style of play, he served as captain for a team record eight seasons. He retired as the Canucks' all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points – all of which have been since surpassed by Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
and Markus Naslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
. His assist record was also passed by Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . His identical twin brother Daniel also plays for the Canucks. Having played together throughout their careers, the pair are known for their effectiveness playing off one...
. Smyl's number 12 was the first retired number in Canucks' history, as it was raised to the Pacific Coliseum
Pacific Coliseum
Pacific Coliseum is an indoor arena, at Hastings Park, in Vancouver, British Columbia.Completed in 1968, at the former site of the Pacific National Exhibition, the arena currently holds 16,281, for ice hockey, though capacity at its opening was 15,713....
rafters in 1991. It now hangs with Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
's number 16 and Markus Naslund's number 19 at Rogers Arena.
The end of his playing career coincided with the beginning of a 13-year coaching career, serving as an assistant with the Canucks and a head coach with the club's minor league affiliates: the Syracuse Crunch
Syracuse Crunch
The Syracuse Crunch are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Syracuse, New York, at the War Memorial at Oncenter...
, Kansas City Blades
Kansas City Blades
The Kansas City Blades was a professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1990–2001 until the demise of the league after the 2000–01 season. The Blades was based in Kansas City, Missouri at Kemper Arena....
and Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
. Upon being let go as coach of the Moose, he was re-assigned to the Canucks' front office where he has served as Director of Player Development and Director of Collegiate Scouting, before being appointed his current role as Senior Advisor on Hockey Operations to General Manager Mike Gillis
Mike Gillis
Michael David Gillis is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.-Playing career:...
.
Junior career (1974–78)
Smyl played Junior AJunior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
with the Bellingham Blazers
Bellingham Blazers
The Bellingham Blazers were an American junior ice hockey team from Bellingham, Washington during the regular season and Langley, British Columbia during their 1970s playoff runs. They were members of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.-History:...
of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL) for one season in 1974–75. Notching 33 points in 25 playoff games, he led the Blazers to a Fred Page Cup
Fred Page Cup
The Fred Page Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournament, conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The award is given to the winner of a round robin and playoff between the Bogart Cup champions of the Central Junior Hockey League, the Kent Cup champions of the Maritime...
title as league champions in a 4–2 win over the Kelowna Buckaroos
Kelowna Buckaroos
The Kelowna Buckaroos were a Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey team from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. They were a part of the British Columbia Hockey League.-History:...
. Advancing to a best-of-seven series with the Alberta Junior Hockey League
Alberta Junior Hockey League
The Alberta Junior Hockey League is an Alberta-based Junior A hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The regular season league champions receive the Dave Duchak Trophy...
(AJHL) champions for a berth in the 1975 Royal Bank Cup
Royal Bank Cup
The Royal Bank Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held to determine the Canadian Junior A champion. The winner of the tournament wins the Royal Bank Cup...
, the Blazers lost the Pacific regional title to the Spruce Grove Mets.
Following his playoffs with the Blazers, Smyl debuted at the major junior level with the New Westminster Bruins
New Westminster Bruins
The New Westminster Bruins were a junior ice hockey team from the Western Hockey League. There were two franchises that carried this name:* 1971–1981...
of the Western Canada Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WCHL). He appeared in three playoff games, being a part of the Bruins franchise's first President's Cup as WCHL champions. Joining the Bruins full-time the following season, Smyl put up 74 points in 72 games as the Bruins captured their second consecutive WCHL title. Earning a berth in the 1976 Memorial Cup
1976 Memorial Cup
The 1976 Memorial Cup occurred May 9-May 16 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Hamilton Fincups, Quebec Remparts and New Westminster...
, they lost the Canadian major junior
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
title to the Hamilton Fincups
Hamilton Fincups
The Fincups were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League for 4 years, from 1974 to 1978. The team played in Hamilton, Ontario for three years, and in St. Catharines, Ontario for one.-History:...
.
In 1976–77, New Westminster repeated as President's Cup champions as Smyl posted 66 points in the regular season, then 13 points in 13 playoff games. Returning to the Memorial Cup
1977 Memorial Cup
The 1977 Memorial Cup occurred May 8-May 14 at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia. Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Ottawa 67's, Sherbrooke Castors and New...
, the Bruins won their first major junior title in franchise history. Playing in his third and final major junior season, Smyl recorded a WCJHL career high 76 points over 53 games. In the 1978 WCHL playoffs, he notched 35 points in 20 games, capturing his third consecutive President's Cup with the Bruins. At the 1978 Memorial Cup
1978 Memorial Cup
The 1978 Memorial Cup occurred May 6-May 13 at the Sudbury Community Arena in Sudbury, Ontario, and at the Sault Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey...
, Smyl was named the tournament MVP
Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy
The Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy is a Canadian Hockey League trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the annual Memorial Cup Tournament...
and received tournament All-Star Team honours with 14 points in five games. The Bruins became the first team to repeat as Memorial Cup champions in consecutive years as the Bruins won for the second straight year.
Draft to Stanley Cup run (1978–82)
After a decorated season with the Bruins, his final year of junior, Smyl was a third round, 40th overall selection in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft1978 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1978 NHL Amateur Draft occurred at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec on June 15, 1978. It was the last draft to be called the "Amateur Draft" before the process was renamed to the NHL Entry Draft in 1979.-Selections by round:...
by the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. Smyl entered the NHL with the Canucks the following season in 1978–79. Playing on a line with fellow rookies Thomas Gradin
Thomas Gradin
Thomas Kjell Gradin was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1978 to 1987. He is best remembered for the 8 seasons he spent with the Vancouver Canucks, and remains one of the top players in that franchise's history.-NHL career:Gradin was already one of the top...
and Curt Fraser
Curt Fraser
Curtis Martin Fraser is a former ice hockey player of dual American and Canadian citizenship...
, he scored 14 goals and 38 points over 62 games in his first season. He also proved to be physical, earning 89 penalty minutes as well. As the Canucks qualified for the 1979 playoffs as the final seed
Seed (sports)
A seed is a preliminary ranking that can be used in arranging a sports tournament. It is called a seed because of the analogy with plants where the seed might grow into a top rank at the end of that tournament, or might instead wither away...
, Smyl scored his first NHL post-season goal in game one of the preliminary round against the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Vancouver won the game 3–2, but went on to lose the best-of-three series in three games. Smyl also played three games for the Central Hockey League's Dallas Black Hawks
Dallas Black Hawks
The Dallas Black Hawks were a minor-league professional ice hockey team in Dallas, Texas. They were a member of the Central Hockey League and played home games at State Fair Coliseum....
during the campaign.
Smyl became a point-per-game player in his second NHL season, leading the Canucks in scoring
Cyrus H. McLean Trophy
The Cyrus H. McLean Trophy is an award given out by the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. It recognizes the Canucks leading scorer over the course of the regular season...
with 31 goals and 78 points over 77 games in 1979–80. In the second half of the season, he registered a team record point-scoring streak that lasted 12 games (five goals and 22 points) between February 7 and March 4, 1980. The streak broke Dennis Kearns
Dennis Kearns
Dennis McAleer Kearns is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who spent his entire career with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
' 11-game mark, set three years prior in March 1977. Shortly after the streak ended, he notched his first NHL career hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
against the goaltender Pat Riggin
Pat Riggin
Patrick Michael Riggin is a retired former National Hockey League goaltender who played for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as the Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association...
during a game against the Atlanta Flames
Atlanta Flames
The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the...
on March 7. Nearly a month later, he notched four assists in one game – a 5–0 win against the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
on April 1, 1980.
The following campaign, Smyl was involved in an on-ice incident during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
on March 17, 1981. During the first period, opposing forward Gary Rissling
Gary Rissling
Gary Daniel Rissling is a retired Canadian ice hockey player. Originally signed in 1978 as a free agent by the Washington Capitals, Rissling also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 1983 and 1984 he was awarded the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Good Guy Award.-External links:And now owns...
speared him in the face. Joined by several teammates, Smyl began fighting
Fighting in ice hockey
Fighting in ice hockey is an established tradition of the sport in North America, with a long history involving many levels of amateur and professional play and including some notable individual fights. Although a definite source of criticism, it is a considerable draw for the sport, and some fans...
Rissling. Consequently, Smyl and Rissling both received minor penalties
Penalty (ice hockey)
A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,...
for roughing and major penalties for fighting, while additionally being ejected from the game. A week later, Rissling received a four-game suspension from NHL executive vice president Brian O'Neill. Smyl was not injured on the play and appared in all 80 games for the Canucks in 1980–81, notching 25 goals and 63 points.
Early in the 1981–82 season, Smyl recorded a five-point game, notching a hat trick and two assists, in an 8–4 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 31, 1981. Late in the campaign, he was named team captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
, succeeding defenceman Kevin McCarthy, who had broken his ankle during practice. He went on to complete the campaign with 34 goals and 78 points over 80 games.
Despite finishing the regular season with a losing record, the Canucks embarked on a playoff run to the franchise's first Stanley Cup Finals
1982 Stanley Cup Finals
-References:...
in team history. In the fifth and deciding game of the semi-finals against the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, Smyl notched two goals in a 6–2 win to capture the Clarence Campbell Trophy as conference champions, sending the Canucks to the Finals. Facing the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, who had finished the regular season 41 points ahead of the Canucks and had won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
the previous two years, they were swept in four games. Smyl scored the Canucks' only goal in their 3–1 defeat in game four, tying the game at 1–1 in the first period on his own rebound before Mike Bossy
Mike Bossy
Michael Dean Bossy is a former Canadian ice hockey player who played for the New York Islanders for his entire career and was part of their four-year reign as Stanley Cup champions in the early 1980s...
scored twice to secure the Islanders' win. Smyl accumulated 19 points in 18 playoff games, second in team scoring to Thomas Gradin.
Captaincy and retirement (1982–91)
During the subsequent off-season, Canucks general manager Harry NealeHarry Neale
Harold Watson Neale is a hockey colour commentator, who currently works for the Buffalo Sabres on the Sabres Hockey Network...
appointed Smyl as McCarthy's permanent successor as team captain. The decision was influenced by the Canucks' run to the Finals under Smyl's captaincy. Neale commented, "We reached a tremendous high last spring under Stan as captain and we feel we want to continue that atmosphere." Consequently, McCarthy asked to be traded, but remained with the team for one-and-a-half seasons thereafter until he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
in January 1984.
In his first full season as captain, Smyl recorded career highs with 38 goals and 50 assists. In addition to leading the club in scoring for the second time in his career, his 88 points established a club record (it was broken by Patrik Sundstrom
Patrik Sundström
Patrik Sundström is a retired professional ice hockey centre, who played in the NHL for ten seasons.- Playing career :Sundström was drafted 175th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft....
's 91 points the following season). Late in the campaign, he recorded the most prolific month by a Canucks player in team history with 31 points (10 goals and 21 assists) over 16 games in March 1983. During that span, he reeled off a 13-game point streak from February 27 to March 23 that included eight goals and 27 points. At 13 games, the streak surpassed the previous team record he set in 1980, but was quickly broken by teammate Darcy Rota
Darcy Rota
Darcy Irwin Rota is a retired professional ice hockey player who spent eleven seasons in the National Hockey League...
six days later with a 14-game scoring streak of his own. Smyl, Rota and Gradin formed a high-scoring top line for Vancouver; all three teammates finished among the league's top 30 players in points. Entering the 1983 playoffs, the Canucks attempted to defend their Campbell Trophy of the previous season, but were defeated in four games of a best-of-five series against the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. Smyl helped the Canucks stave off elimination in game three, scoring the game winning goal with 57 seconds to go in regulation, but they were defeated the following game.
The following season in 1983–84, Smyl's production dipped to 67 points. Vancouver met the Flames in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year, losing in four games once more. Smyl and the Canucks would not qualify for the playoffs again for five years. He remained in the 60-point range in the 1984–85 and 1985–86 seasons. On February 27, 1985, Smyl scored his 187th career goal to pass Don Lever
Don Lever
Donald Richard "Cleaver" Lever is the head coach of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1972–73 until 1986–87.-Playing career:Lever was drafted 3rd overall by the...
as the Canucks' all-time leading goal-scorer.
Late in the 1985–86 season, Smyl suffered torn knee ligament
Ligament
In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...
s due to a blindsiding check from opposing forward Alain Côté during the final minute of a 7–6 win against the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
on March 26, 1987. He was sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. In the off-season, Smyl was re-signed by the Canucks to a multi-year contract in July 1986.
The following season, the Canucks met the Nordiques in a game on October 13, 1986. Smyl fought Côté during the game, but he was consequently sidelined by re-injuring his knee. Upon returning to the lineup, Smyl was involved in an altercation with Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
forward Stéphane Richer
Stephane Richer
Stéphane Jean-Jacques Richer is a retired professional ice hockey left winger.-Playing career:Richer was drafted 29th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He played in 1,054 career NHL games, scoring 421 goals and 398 assists for 819 points. Richer won the Calder Cup in...
that led to a bench-clearing brawl during a game on November 2. After spearing Richer late in the third period, Canadiens forward Claude Lemieux
Claude Lemieux
Claude Percy Lemieux is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He last played for the San Jose Sharks before announcing his retirement on July 8, 2009. He is one of only ten players in Stanley Cup history to win the Cup with three different teams. His 80 career playoff goals are the...
then sucker-punched Smyl in the head on his way to the bench. A total of 139 penalty minutes were assessed to both teams and the Canadiens went on to win the game 5–3.
Later in the season, Smyl became the Canucks' all-time leader in regular season games played with 648, passing Harold Snepsts
Harold Snepsts
Harold John Snepsts is a retired professional ice hockey player who spent 17 seasons in the National Hockey League...
in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 5, 1985. The following month, Smyl became the Canucks all-time points leader on December 14, 1986. Notching his sixth career hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks, he recorded his 551st career point to pass Thomas Gradin's all-time leading mark of 550. A little over a month later, Smyl was awarded the first and only penalty shot
Penalty shot (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a penalty shot is a type of penalty awarded when a team loses a clear scoring opportunity on a breakaway because of a foul committed by an opposing player. A player from the non-offending team is given an attempt to score a goal without opposition from any defending players except...
of his NHL career during a game against the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
on January 16, 1987. Facing goaltender Mike Vernon, he scored to help the Canucks win 9–5. There was speculation at the trade deadline in March 1987 that Smyl would be traded to a playoff contender, as the Canucks were in the midst of another losing season. Smyl responded by asserting that Vancouver was his home and he had no desire to be dealt away. He finished the campaign with 20 goals and 43 points over 66 games in an injury-shortened season. It marked the lowest points total of his career and the start of a decrease in production in the remaining four seasons before his retirement.
After recording eight consecutive 20-plus goal seasons, Smyl's production dipped to 12 goals and 37 points over 57 games in 1987–88. Injured during the season, Smyl was temporarily replaced by defenceman Daryl Stanley
Daryl Stanley
Daryl Stanley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who spent parts of six seasons in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
as team captain in his absence. The following year, Smyl appeared in his last playoffs with the Canucks, as well as his first in five years. The Canucks took the President's Trophy winner Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
to seven games in the first round, but lost the deciding game in overtime. Smyl had an opportunity to win the series for Vancouver on a breakaway in overtime, but was stopped by a Mike Vernon glove save. Smyl was held without a point in the series.
In 1989–90, Smyl played his last season as team captain and recorded 16 points in 47 games. He was often a healthy scratch and did not score his first goal of the season until the final game on March 31, 1990, a 6–3 win against the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
(he had not previously scored since April 2, 1989 – the final game of the previous season). At the start of the next season, Smyl resigned his captaincy and it was split throughout the season between Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn
Daniel Peter Quinn is a Canadian professional golfer and former professional ice hockey player. Quinn played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, Doug Lidster
Doug Lidster
John Douglas Andrew Lidster is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL...
and Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
(the captaincy would be retained by Linden). Smyl had held the position for eight years, the longest tenure among Canucks captains all-time. He scored his last NHL goal on December 5, 1990, against the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He played his last game on March 16, 1991, against the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. After managing 14 points in 45 games, Smyl retired at the end of the 1990–91 season.
Legacy and honours
Smyl retired with Canucks franchise records in every major statistical category with 262 goals, 411 assists and 673 points in 896 games played. He became the first Canucks player to have his jersey number retired as his #12 was raised to the rafters at the Pacific ColiseumPacific Coliseum
Pacific Coliseum is an indoor arena, at Hastings Park, in Vancouver, British Columbia.Completed in 1968, at the former site of the Pacific National Exhibition, the arena currently holds 16,281, for ice hockey, though capacity at its opening was 15,713....
on November 3, 1991. In 2000, he was inducted into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame.
Smyl's all-time team records stood for more than a decade until Trevor Linden (who was part of the Canucks tri-captaincy after Smyl resigned the captaincy) overtook them, beginning with his goals mark in 2002–03. The following season in 2003–04, Linden played in his 897th game and recorded his 674th point as a Canuck to surpass Smyl on both marks. Smyl's last major mark of assists was passed by Linden on November 8, 2007. Later Canucks captain Markus Näslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
would, in turn, surpass Linden's marks in goals and points, but not games. Smyl was later present as Linden's retirement ceremony as he joined Smyl as the only two players to currently have their jersey numbers retired by the Canucks (Näslund will join them in that honor during the 2010-11 season).
At the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
, held in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Smyl was named the official ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
for Molson Canadian
Molson Canadian
Molson Canadian is a brand of 5% abv North American lager brewed by Molson, the Canadian division of Molson Coors Brewing Company. The beer was introduced in 1959.-Awards:Molson Canadian has won several beer industry awards, including:...
Hockey House – a pavilion
Pavilion (structure)
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
for hockey fans and players that was temporarily raised in Downtown Vancouver. He also ran a leg with the Olympic torch on the last day of the relay on February 12, 2010.
International play
During his final year of juniorJunior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
, Smyl was selected to the Canadian national junior team
Canada national junior hockey team
The Canadian men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in Canada. The team represents Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Hockey Championship, held annually every December and January...
for the 1978 World Junior Championships
1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
-Blue group:-Group B:-Group A:-Gold medal game:-Leading scorers:-Tournament awards:-Blue group:-Group B:-Group A:-Gold medal game:-Leading scorers:-Tournament awards:-Blue group:...
, held in Québec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Playing as the host nation, Canada earned the bronze medal, having finished third in round-robin play
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
. Smyl notched a goal and an assist over six games.
Smyl got his first and only opportunity to represent Canada's men's team in 1985. After the Canucks became the first team eliminated from contention for the 1985 Stanley Cup playoffs
1985 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 1985 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League began on April 10, after the conclusion of the 1984–85 NHL season...
, Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions...
selected Smyl and four other Canucks – Doug Halward
Doug Halward
Douglas Robert Halward is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played 663 games in the National Hockey League...
, Doug Lidster
Doug Lidster
John Douglas Andrew Lidster is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL...
, Tony Tanti
Tony Tanti
Tony Tanti is a retired professional ice hockey player. He was a left winger and played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks...
and Cam Neely
Cam Neely
Cameron Michael Neely is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played right wing for the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League from 1983 to 1996. He currently serves as the president of the Boston Bruins.-Playing career:Cam Neely was born in Comox,...
– to the national team for the 1985 World Championships
1985 World Ice Hockey Championships
The 1985 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia from 17 April to 3 May. Eight teams took part, with each team playing each other once. The four best teams then played each other again. This was the 50th World Championships, and also the 61st European Championships of...
in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. Facing the Soviet Union
Soviet national ice hockey team
The Soviet national ice hockey team , was the national hockey team of the Soviet Union. The Soviets were the most dominant team of all time in international play. The team won nearly every world championship and Olympic tournament between 1954 and 1991 held by the International Ice Hockey Federation...
in the second last game of the final round, Smyl scored the game winner, his only goal of the tournament, for Canada in a 3–1 victory. The win placed Canada in contention for their first gold medal at the World Championships in 24 years. However, they lost the gold medal to Czechoslovakia in a 5–3 loss. Smyl contributed two points in 10 games while playing on a line with Brian MacLellan
Brian MacLellan
Brian John MacLellan is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.After playing his college hockey at Bowling Green State University, MacLellan signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings in 1982...
and Bernie Nicholls
Bernie Nicholls
Bernard Irvine Nicholls is a former professional ice hockey centre. His junior career was spent with the Kingston Canadians, where he established himself as a dynamic scorer and a multi-faceted talent. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, 73rd...
.
Playing style
Smyl was relatively small for an NHL player at 5 feet and 8 inches. He was known for his two-way play, being responsible on defence, while also producing offensively. He compensated for his size with toughness and relentless checking that made him a fan favourite and earned him the nickname "Steamer". Smyl was also a strong leader, serving as captain for the Canucks for eight seasons.Assistant with Vancouver
When Smyl announced his retirement on July 3, 1991, he was concurrently named a Canucks assistant coach, along with Rick LeyRick Ley
Richard Norman Ley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association .-Playing career:...
, to Pat Quinn
Pat Quinn (ice hockey)
John Brian Patrick Quinn , is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Edmonton Oilers. Known by the nickname "The Big Irishman",...
. He was honoured for his playing career, spent entirely with the Canucks, during a pre-game ceremony on November 3. In his third year behind the bench, Smyl was involved in his second Stanley Cup Finals with the Canucks in 1994
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
. Vancouver went to seven games with the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, losing 4 - 3 in the deciding game. Smyl helped coach opposite Rangers assistant coach Colin Campbell, who was also a part of the Canucks' 1982 Cup run as a player.
Between 1994 and 1999, the Canucks' head coaching position changed five times. Ley overtook head coaching duties from 1994 to 1996 as Quinn returned to his executive positions as president and general manager. After Ley was fired late in the 1995–96 season, Quinn served as the Canucks' interim head coach until Tom Renney
Tom Renney
Thomas Renney is a Canadian ice hockey Head Coach for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He has previously coached the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks....
was hired for the beginning of the 1996–97 season. In turn, Renney was fired after one-and-a-half seasons and replaced by Mike Keenan
Mike Keenan
Michael Edward Keenan is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Calgary Flames, and former General Manager of the Florida Panthers. He is currently working as an analyst for the New York Rangers on MSG Network.Keenan was a player for the St...
. Throughout the changes, Smyl remained in his position as assistant under all four head coaches.
Minor league head coach
In June 1999, Smyl was named head coach of the Canucks' American Hockey LeagueAmerican Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch
Syracuse Crunch
The Syracuse Crunch are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Syracuse, New York, at the War Memorial at Oncenter...
. He became the second coach in Crunch history, replacing Jack McIlhargey
Jack McIlhargey
John Cecil "Jack" McIlhargey is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, and Hartford Whalers.-Playing career:...
, who had served for five seasons. He coached the Crunch to a .500 season in his debut behind the bench. In the 2000 off-season, the Canucks signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Kansas City Blades
Kansas City Blades
The Kansas City Blades was a professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1990–2001 until the demise of the league after the 2000–01 season. The Blades was based in Kansas City, Missouri at Kemper Arena....
of the International Hockey League (IHL). Smyl was re-assigned to Kansas City, replacing their previous coach Paul MacLean.
When the IHL folded following Smyl's first season with the Blades, he was moved back to the AHL, named coach of the Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
on June 28, 2001. He coached them to the second round in 2002–03
2002–03 AHL season
The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season...
. On March 2, 2004, he notched his 100th win as head coach of the Moose in a 3–0 win over the Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
. However, as the Moose missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years in 2004
2003–04 AHL season
The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer....
, Smyl was dismissed as head coach on June 7, 2004, and re-assigned within the Canucks organization. He was replaced by Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
assistant coach Randy Carlyle
Randy Carlyle
Randolph Robert Carlyle is a former ice hockey defenceman and formely the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. He was raised in Azilda, just northwest of Sudbury, Ontario.-Career:...
. Some Moose players later commented that Carlyle exhibited a stronger presence and was more demanding in comparison to Smyl.
Canucks front office
Let go as Moose head coach, Smyl was named the Canucks' Director of Player Development in the 2004 off-season. Much of his time was spent overseeing the play of prospects within the Canucks' farm system – for example those playing with the Manitoba MooseManitoba Moose
The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
of the AHL and Victoria Salmon Kings
Victoria Salmon Kings
The Victoria Salmon Kings were a professional ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. They were members of the Mountain Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, debuting in the 2004–05 ECHL season and folding after the 2010–11 ECHL season as the Chilliwack Bruins WHL franchise...
of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
. He served in that capacity for four years until Mike Gillis
Mike Gillis
Michael David Gillis is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.-Playing career:...
took over as Canucks general manager from Dave Nonis
Dave Nonis
David M. Nonis is a former Canadian ice hockey defenceman, former general manager and executive of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks and current general manager of the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League .-Playing career:Growing up in Burnaby, B.C., Nonis played junior...
after the 2007–08 season. Gillis expanded the Canucks' player development and scouting departments and assigned Smyl the newly-created position as Director of Collegiate Scouting. Former NHL player Dave Gagner
Dave Gagner
David R. Gagner is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current Director of Player Development for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
assumed Smyl's former Director of Player Development role. After one season in that role, Smyl was re-positioned, to his current role as Senior Advisor to Gillis before the 2008–09 season
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
on September 11, 2008. In his duties as Advisor he still partially overseas collegiate scouting.
Personal life
Smyl was born on January 28, 1958, in Glendon, AlbertaGlendon, Alberta
Glendon is a village in northern Alberta north of St. Paul.In 1993, the town unveiled its roadside tribute to the perogy. Their "Giant Perogy," complete with fork, is 25 feet tall. It is one of the Giants of the Prairies. Next to the roadside attraction is the Perogy Cafe, which serves...
. He left home at 13 years old to pursue his hockey career in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. His wife is Jennifer Smyl.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1974–75 | Bellingham Blazers Bellingham Blazers The Bellingham Blazers were an American junior ice hockey team from Bellingham, Washington during the regular season and Langley, British Columbia during their 1970s playoff runs. They were members of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.-History:... |
BCJHL | 48 | 29 | 33 | 62 | 115 | 25 | 13 | 22 | 33 | 15 | ||
| 1974–75 | New Westminster Bruins New Westminster Bruins The New Westminster Bruins were a junior ice hockey team from the Western Hockey League. There were two franchises that carried this name:* 1971–1981... |
WCHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | ||
| 1975–76 | New Westminster Bruins | WCHL | 72 | 32 | 42 | 74 | 169 | 19 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 58 | ||
| 1976–77 | New Westminster Bruins | WCHL | 72 | 35 | 31 | 66 | 200 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 51 | ||
| 1977–78 | New Westminster Bruins | WCHL | 53 | 29 | 47 | 76 | 211 | 20 | 14 | 21 | 35 | 43 | ||
| 1978–79 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
62 | 14 | 24 | 38 | 89 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1978–79 | Dallas Black Hawks Dallas Black Hawks The Dallas Black Hawks were a minor-league professional ice hockey team in Dallas, Texas. They were a member of the Central Hockey League and played home games at State Fair Coliseum.... |
CHL | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 77 | 31 | 47 | 78 | 204 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 14 | ||
| 1980–81 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 80 | 25 | 38 | 63 | 171 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1981–82 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 80 | 34 | 44 | 78 | 144 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 25 | ||
| 1982–83 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 74 | 38 | 50 | 88 | 114 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | ||
| 1983–84 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 80 | 24 | 43 | 67 | 136 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 1984–85 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 80 | 27 | 37 | 64 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 73 | 27 | 35 | 62 | 144 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 66 | 20 | 23 | 43 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 57 | 12 | 25 | 37 | 110 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 75 | 7 | 18 | 25 | 102 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||
| 1989–90 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 47 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 45 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 87 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 896 | 262 | 411 | 673 | 1556 | 41 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 64 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | P | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships -Blue group:-Group B:-Group A:-Gold medal game:-Leading scorers:-Tournament awards:-Blue group:-Group B:-Group A:-Gold medal game:-Leading scorers:-Tournament awards:-Blue group:... |
Canada | WJC World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world... |
6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
| 1985 1985 World Ice Hockey Championships The 1985 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia from 17 April to 3 May. Eight teams took part, with each team playing each other once. The four best teams then played each other again. This was the 50th World Championships, and also the 61st European Championships of... |
Canada | WC Ice Hockey World Championships The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European... |
10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
| Senior int'l totals | 16 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | |||
Junior
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Fred Page Cup Fred Page Cup The Fred Page Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournament, conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The award is given to the winner of a round robin and playoff between the Bogart Cup champions of the Central Junior Hockey League, the Kent Cup champions of the Maritime... (BCJHL title British Columbia Hockey League The British Columbia Hockey League is a Junior "A" ice hockey league from British Columbia under Hockey Canada, a subsection of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Founded in Vernon in 1961, the BCHL now includes 16 teams. These teams play in two conferences, known as the Coastal and the Interior... , Bellingham Blazers Bellingham Blazers The Bellingham Blazers were an American junior ice hockey team from Bellingham, Washington during the regular season and Langley, British Columbia during their 1970s playoff runs. They were members of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.-History:... ) |
1975 |
| President's Cup (WCHL title Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... , New Westminster Bruins New Westminster Bruins The New Westminster Bruins were a junior ice hockey team from the Western Hockey League. There were two franchises that carried this name:* 1971–1981... ) |
1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 |
| Memorial Cup Memorial Cup The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major... (Canadian major junior Canadian Hockey League The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey... title, New Westminster Bruins New Westminster Bruins The New Westminster Bruins were a junior ice hockey team from the Western Hockey League. There were two franchises that carried this name:* 1971–1981... ) |
1977 1977 Memorial Cup The 1977 Memorial Cup occurred May 8-May 14 at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia. Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Ottawa 67's, Sherbrooke Castors and New... , 1978 1978 Memorial Cup The 1978 Memorial Cup occurred May 6-May 13 at the Sudbury Community Arena in Sudbury, Ontario, and at the Sault Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey... |
| Memorial Cup All-Star Team | 1978 1978 Memorial Cup The 1978 Memorial Cup occurred May 6-May 13 at the Sudbury Community Arena in Sudbury, Ontario, and at the Sault Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey... |
| Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy The Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy is a Canadian Hockey League trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the annual Memorial Cup Tournament... (Memorial Cup MVP) |
1978 |
Vancouver Canucks
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Most Exciting Player Award | 1980 |
| Cyclone Taylor Award (team MVP) | 1980, 1983, 1986 |
| Cyrus H. McLean Trophy Cyrus H. McLean Trophy The Cyrus H. McLean Trophy is an award given out by the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. It recognizes the Canucks leading scorer over the course of the regular season... (team leading scorer) |
1980, 1983 |