Alf Smith (ice hockey)

Lore & Background

Alf Smith began his hockey career playing for the Ottawa Hockey Club of the AHAC in the 1890s. In 1897 he retired from the Ottawa HC, then played for the Ottawa Capitals intermediate team in 1898 but did not finish the season because he was ruled ineligible. In 1896, Smith had accepted a $100 bonus for play with the Capitals lacrosse team, and by 1898 the Amateur Athletic Association of Canada ruled him ineligible for amateur hockey. He would not play for several years, but did coach the Ottawa Hockey Club to the 1901 CAHL title. In 1901–02, he returned to active play as a professional in the Western Pennsylvania Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. The following year he returned to Canada to coach the Ottawa HC to their first Stanley Cup championship against the Montreal Victorias in 1903. In 1903–04 he became reinstated as an amateur and returned to play right wing on a line featuring 'One Eyed' Frank McGee. As a player-coach, he led the team to consecutive Stanley Cup victories in 1904, 1905, and 1906, the club by then known as the Silver Seven. Smith was known as a rough player. In 1907, Smith and teammates Harry Smith and Charles Spittal were charged with assault after beating Montreal Wanderers players Hod Stuart, Ernie 'Moose' Johnson and Cecil Blachford with their sticks; Harry Smith was acquitted while Spittal and Alf Smith were each fined $20. For the 1906–07 season, McGee retired and his place on the top line was taken by Alf's brother Harry. Smith later moved west to play with the Stanley Cup champion Kenora Thistles, and played one final season with Ottawa in 1908. In 1908–09, lured back to Pittsburgh, he was suspended from two teams for rough play. He returned to Ottawa and played with several former Silver Seven players on the Senators of the Federal League, and coached the Ottawa Cliffsides to the first Allan Cup championship, only to lose it to Queen's University in a challenge. This was his final season of play.

Reader's Guide

Alf Smith's significance lies in his role as a player-coach who led the Ottawa Hockey Club (Silver Seven) to three consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1904 to 1906, a feat that cemented the team's early dominance. He was one of the final active players who had played major senior hockey in the 19th century, alongside Harvey Pulford, Harry Westwick and Russell Bowie. His career spanned the transition from amateur to professional hockey, as he was ruled ineligible for amateur play in 1898 due to accepting a $100 bonus for lacrosse, then later reinstated as an amateur in 1903–04. Smith's rough style of play led to a 1907 assault charge for beating opponents with sticks, for which he was fined $20. He also coached the Renfrew 'Millionaires' of the new National Hockey Association in 1909–10, and later coached the Ottawa Hockey Club from 1913 to 1917. His induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962 recognizes his contributions as both a player and coach during hockey's formative years.

Did You Know?

• Alf Smith had six younger brothers who played senior-level hockey in Ottawa.
• He was captain of the Ottawa Hockey Club and also coached the team.
• In 1907, Smith was charged with assault and fined $20 for beating Montreal Wanderers players with his stick.