Ryan Smyth
Canadian power forward known as 'Captain Canada' for international play.
Ryan Alexander Borden Smyth (born February 21, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player best known for his long tenure with the Edmonton Oilers and his power-forward style. Since 2017, he has also been a co-owner of the BCHL’s Spruce Grove Saints.
Smyth began his junior career with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL, where he scored 105 points in the 1993–94 season. That performance made him a top prospect, and the Edmonton Oilers selected him sixth overall in the 1994 NHL entry draft—a choice influenced by scout Lorne Davis, over the objections of some Oilers scouts who preferred Ethan Moreau. Smyth returned to Moose Jaw for one more season, recording 41 goals and 86 points in 50 games, and helped the Warriors reach the playoffs for the first time during his tenure. His number 28 was retired by the team in 2015.
Smyth made his NHL debut on January 22, 1995, against the Los Angeles Kings, playing three games without a point that season. His first NHL goal came on November 24, 1995, a power-play tally against Calgary’s Trevor Kidd. In 1996–97, he posted a career-high 39 goals and 61 points, tying Wayne Gretzky’s team record for power-play goals in a season with 20. He later led the Oilers in scoring in 2002–03 and again in 2003–04, and served as captain for several games when Jason Smith was injured. After 12 seasons in Edmonton, Smyth was traded to the New York Islanders in 2007 due to failed contract negotiations. He then signed a five-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent, and after two seasons there was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in July 2009. On June 26, 2011, the Oilers re-acquired him in exchange for Colin Fraser and a seventh-round draft pick. He retired on April 11, 2014, after 19 NHL seasons.
Internationally, Smyth represented Canada extensively and earned the nickname “Captain Canada” after serving as captain of Canada’s World Championship team for a record six years (2001–05 and 2010). He won gold at the 1995 World Junior Championship, the 2002 Winter Olympics, the 2003 and 2004 World Championships, and the 2004 World Cup. He is Canada’s all-time leader in games played at the World Championship, and he is the only hockey player to win gold at the Olympics, World Cup, World Championships, World Juniors, and Spengler Cup. Smyth was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2024.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1976-02-21
- Birth Place
- Banff, Alberta, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 2
- Weight Lb
- 191
- Position
- Left wing
- Shoots
- Left
- Played For
- Edmonton Oilers / New York Islanders / Colorado Avalanche / Los Angeles Kings
- Ntl Team
- CAN
- Draft
- 6th overall
- Draft Year
- 1994
- Draft Team
- Edmonton Oilers
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Smyth played junior hockey with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL), scoring 105 points in 1993–94. He was drafted sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 1994, over the objections of some scouts who preferred Ethan Moreau. After three seasons in Moose Jaw, he joined the Oilers full-time in 1996–97, recording a career-high 39 goals and tying Wayne Gretzky's team record for power-play goals in a season. He spent 12 seasons with Edmonton, serving as captain during stretches when Jason Smith was injured. In 2006, he helped the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games. During that playoff run, he lost three teeth after being hit in the mouth with a puck but returned to set up a triple-overtime game-winning goal. He was traded to the New York Islanders in 2007 after contract negotiations failed, then signed with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent. After two seasons in Colorado, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in July 2009. He was re-acquired by the Oilers in 2011 and retired in 2014 after 19 NHL seasons.
Reader's Guide
Smyth's significance lies in his long tenure with the Edmonton Oilers and his remarkable international career for Canada. He ranks seventh on the Oilers' all-time points list with 549 over 770 games. He set a team record for fastest hat trick (two minutes, one second) in 2006, breaking Wayne Gretzky's mark. Internationally, he earned the nickname 'Captain Canada' by serving as captain of Canada's World Championship team for a record six years. He is Canada's all-time leader in games played at the World Championship and played a record 90 games for Hockey Canada. He is the only player in hockey history to win gold medals at the Olympics, World Cup, World Championships, World Juniors, and Spengler Cup. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2024. His playing style as a power forward—combining physical play with scoring—defined his career, and his emotional farewell press conference at Edmonton International Airport after being traded became a memorable moment in Oilers history.
Did You Know?
- Smyth tied Wayne Gretzky's Oilers record for power-play goals in a season with 20 in 1996–97.
- His number 28 was retired by the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2015.
More in Colorado Avalanche Players 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced