Mike Smith (ice hockey, born 1982)

Lore & Background

Smith began his ice hockey career in 1999 with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), backing up future NHL player Andrew Raycroft. He moved to the Sudbury Wolves in the 2000–01 season, registering a 2.52 goals against average and 0.913 save percentage in 43 games. Selected by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round (161st overall) of the 2001 NHL entry draft, Smith spent five seasons in the minors, playing for the Lexington Men O'War of the ECHL and the Utah Grizzlies, Houston Aeros, and Iowa Stars of the AHL. He made his professional debut on October 26, 2002, scoring a goal on an empty net during a shutout in his first win, becoming the youngest goaltender ever to score in a professional game at 20 years of age.

Smith made his NHL debut on October 21, 2006, for the Dallas Stars against the Phoenix Coyotes, posting a 22-save shutout and becoming the first goalie in Dallas Stars history to have a shutout in his first NHL game. He was named to the 2006–07 NHL All-Rookie Team. After being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, he became only the third rookie goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout for two different teams in the same season. In 2011, Smith signed with the Phoenix Coyotes and set the NHL record for most saves in a regulation shutout victory (54 saves) on April 3, 2012. He led the Coyotes to their first playoff series win since 1987 in the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, posting a 1.99 GAA and .944 save percentage.

Smith was traded to the Calgary Flames in 2017 and played his 500th career NHL game on December 9, 2017. He later signed with the Edmonton Oilers in 2019, helping them reach the Western Conference finals in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, where he led the league in playoff shutouts with two. Throughout his career, Smith also scored an own goal in overtime when the puck became lodged in his waistband and he inadvertently backed into his own net.

Reader's Guide

Mike Smith's career is marked by several distinctive achievements that set him apart among NHL goaltenders. His most notable feat came in the 2013–14 season when he became the 11th goaltender in NHL history to score a goal, doing so with 0.1 seconds left in regulation on an empty net against the Detroit Red Wings. Earlier, in his professional debut in 2002, he had already scored a goal, making him the youngest goaltender ever to score in a professional game at age 20. Smith's 2011–12 season with the Phoenix Coyotes was particularly significant: he set the NHL record for most saves in a regulation shutout victory (54 saves), finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting, and led the Coyotes to their first playoff series win since 1987, ultimately reaching the Western Conference Finals. His playoff performance that year featured a 1.99 GAA and .944 save percentage. Smith also represented Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics, winning a gold medal. His career included two NHL All-Star selections (2017, 2018) and a place on the 2006–07 NHL All-Rookie Team. Smith's longevity—16 NHL seasons across five teams—and his ability to score as a goaltender contribute to his legacy as a unique figure in the sport.