Billy Smith (ice hockey)

Did You Know?

• Smith spent four seasons as goaltending coach for the Islanders, then followed Bill Torrey to the Florida Panthers as goaltending coach for eight seasons, rising to assistant coach.
• He was hired by the Barrie Colts as Director of Goaltending in 2017 and served until 2020.
• In 1998, The Hockey News ranked Smith number 80 on its list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.

Early life

Smith was born in Perth, Ontario, and attended Perth District Collegiate Institute. He began organized hockey in 1968, initially playing defense after being inspired by his older brother Gordie. When his team needed a goaltender, Smith volunteered and grew to enjoy the position. In a December 1969 game in Drummondville, an opponent ran into his crease, and Smith fought two opposing players, sparking a brawl that led to several ejections. He spent one season with the Cornwall Royals of the QMJHL in 1969 before being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1970. He then played two seasons with the Springfield Kings, winning the Calder Cup in 1971 and recording six combined shutouts.

Playing career

Smith was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth round of the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft on June 11, 1970. After two AHL seasons, he made his NHL debut on February 12, 1972, at the Montreal Forum, facing 48 shots in a 6–5 loss; Guy Lafleur scored the winning goal with 22 seconds remaining. On June 6, 1972, the New York Islanders chose Smith as the second pick in the NHL Expansion Draft. He shared goaltending duties with Gerry Desjardins for two years, then became the starter when Desjardins left for the World Hockey Association, leading the Islanders to their first playoff appearance.

Smith played in the 1978 All-Star Game and was named MVP. He then shared netminding with Chico Resch, forming a top goaltending duo. On November 28, 1979, Smith became the first NHL goaltender credited with a goal: during a delayed penalty, the puck deflected off his chest protector, and a blind pass by Rockies rookie Rob Ramage sent the puck into the empty Colorado net. In the 1980 playoffs, Smith helped the Islanders win the first of four consecutive Stanley Cups.

Resch was traded on March 10, 1981. The following season, he and Roland Melanson won the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed. He was chosen for the 1981 Canada Cup but could not play due to a cracked left hand finger suffered in practice.

Legacy

Nicknamed 'Battlin' Billy' or 'Hatchet Man', Smith was known for his fiery temper and aggressive use of his stick or blocker on players crowding his crease. With few restrictions on contact with goaltenders during his era, he felt compelled to protect himself, leading forwards to wear ankle guards. Smith also feigned injuries to draw penalties against opponents, whom he openly disliked. In game four of the 1983 Stanley Cup Final, a collision with Glenn Anderson led Smith to dive, resulting in a five-minute penalty; referee Andy Van Hellemond later said Smith had 'made a bit of a fool of me'.

In the 1984 Final rematch, Van Hellemond called no penalty on a similar collision. Over four Stanley Cup Final runs, Smith went 57–13 as a starter, and during the team's nineteen consecutive playoff series wins from 1980 to 1984, he posted a 68–18 record. He refused to participate in traditional post-series handshakes. Teammate Mike Bossy recalled that Smith disliked being talked to in the locker room and maintained intense focus, though he was more relaxed off the ice.

The Islanders retired his number 31 on February 20, 1993, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame later that year.