Normie Smith
Goalie who set NHL record with 92 saves in longest game.
Normie Smith was a Canadian goaltender in the NHL, playing for the Montreal Maroons and the Detroit Red Wings. His rookie season with the Maroons ended abruptly in 1930–31 when a collision with Howie Morenz knocked him out for the rest of the year after just 20 games. Smith then spent two seasons in the minors, where he worked on his rebound control and started wearing a cap to cut down on glare from the lights.
In 1934, the Red Wings signed him. During the 1935–36 playoffs, Smith played the longest game in NHL history—176 minutes and 30 seconds—shutting out the Montreal Maroons with 92 saves, a record that still stands. He reportedly lost 12 pounds over the course of that game, which led to a Stanley Cup win. Smith helped Detroit repeat as champions in 1936–37 and won the Vezina Trophy that year. But after an arm injury, his play dropped off in 1937–38, and the Red Wings finished last. The following season, he missed a game, creating a rift with coach Jack Adams. In November 1938, Detroit traded Smith and $15,000 to Boston for Tiny Thompson. Unable to beat out Frank Brimsek for the starting job, Smith was sent to the minors. He retired rather than report. He later returned for a brief stint with Detroit during the player shortage of World War II.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Goaltender
- Played For
- Detroit Red Wings / Montreal Maroons
- Catches
- Left
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 7
- Weight Lb
- 165
- Birth Date
- 1908-03-18
- Birth Place
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Death Date
- 1988-02-02
- Death Place
- Stuart, Florida, U.S.
- Career Start
- 1931
- Career End
- 1945
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Smith began his NHL career with the Montreal Maroons in 1930–31. During his 20th game, Howie Morenz crashed into the Maroons net, knocking Smith out for the rest of the season. He spent the next two seasons in the minors working on rebound control and began wearing a distinctive cap to stop the glare of overhead lights. In 1934, Smith was signed by the Detroit Red Wings. There, he played the NHL's longest game, a 176-minute, 30-second shutout of the Montreal Maroons in which he made 92 saves and reportedly lost 12 pounds of body weight. He helped Detroit win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1935–36 and 1936–37, and won the Vezina Trophy in 1937. After an arm injury, he slumped in 1937–38 and the Red Wings finished last. In 1938–39, he failed to show up for a game, causing a rift with coach Jack Adams. He was traded to Boston along with $15,000 cash for Tiny Thompson on November 16, 1938, but could not beat out Frank Brimsek and was sent to the minors. Smith retired rather than report to the minors, though he briefly returned to play for the Red Wings during World War II when the NHL faced a player shortage.
Reader's Guide
Normie Smith's significance lies in his record-setting performance in the NHL's longest game, a 176-minute, 30-second shutout of the Montreal Maroons in 1935–36. His 92 saves in that game remain an NHL record, and his effort helped the Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup that season. Smith also contributed to a second consecutive Stanley Cup championship in 1936–37 and earned the Vezina Trophy that year. His career was marked by a serious injury early on, a stint in the minors where he developed his game and adopted his trademark cap, and later a slump and trade that ended his prime NHL tenure. He briefly returned during World War II when player shortages created opportunities. Smith's legacy is defined by one extraordinary game and his role in Detroit's first Stanley Cup victories.
Did You Know?
- Smith lost 12 pounds of body weight during the NHL's longest game in 1935–36.
- He made 92 saves in that game, an NHL record.
- Smith started wearing a distinctive cap in the minors to stop the glare of overhead lights.
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