Steve Smith (ice hockey, born April 30, 1963)

James Stephen Smith[1] (born April 30, 1963), better known as Steve Smith, is a Scottish-born Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and current assistant coach of the Buffalo Sabres He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1984–85 to 2000–01. He is best-remembered for scoring a critical own goal in the playoffs of his rookie year on his 23rd birthday in Game 7 of the 1986 Smythe Division Final against the Calgary Flames, in which Calgary went on to win the game 3–2 and the series 4–3.[2]

For the former defenceman born in Canada, see Steve Smith (ice hockey, born April 4, 1963). For other people of the same name, see Steven Smith.
Steve Smith
Born (1963-04-30) April 30, 1963
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Edmonton Oilers
Chicago Blackhawks
Calgary Flames
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 111th overall, 1981
Edmonton Oilers
Playing career 1984–2000

Playing career

Smith was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft in the 6th round, 111th overall. He began his NHL career in 1985, playing in 55 regular season games and six playoff games. On April 30, 1986 (his 23rd birthday), Smith and the Oilers were playing in Game 7 of the Smythe Division Final against the arch-rival Calgary Flames. With 14:46 remaining in the third period, and the score tied 2–2, he picked up the puck behind his own net and tried to clear it out of the zone. Instead, the puck ricocheted off goaltender Grant Fuhr and into the Edmonton net.[3] The Oilers never recovered and ultimately lost the series, while Calgary went on to the Stanley Cup Finals.[4] Flames forward Perry Berezan was credited with scoring this series-clinching goal.

Fans were outraged at Smith's error although his teammates stood by him in support. The next year, the Oilers would regain the Stanley Cup and Wayne Gretzky let Smith have the first turn skating with the trophy to redeem him for fans.

Smith played for the Oilers until the end of the 1990–91 season, winning three Stanley Cups with the team. He then played for the Chicago Blackhawks until 1997. He announced his retirement due to injury following the 1996–97 season, but made a comeback and played three seasons with the Flames, retiring for good in December 2000.

Smith was responsible for a season-ending injury to Pavel Bure's knee on November 9, 1995.[5]

Coaching career

Smith was an assistant coach with the Flames in 1997–98. He worked as a scout with the Chicago Blackhawks prior to spending four seasons on the Oilers coaching staff from 2010 to 2014. He was hired as an assistant coach of the Hurricanes in June 2014, then as the assistant coach of the Sabres in July 2018.[6]

Personal life

Smith was born in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, but grew up in Cobourg, Ontario.

He is married and has five children.[7] His son, Barron Smith (born April 2, 1991), was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 7th round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.[8]

Awards

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1979–80 Fergus Devils NJDHL 23 10 14 24 40 — — — — —
1980–81 London Knights OHL 62 4 12 16 141 — — — — —
1981–82 London Knights OHL 58 10 36 46 207 4 1 2 3 13
1982–83 London Knights OHL 50 6 35 41 133 3 1 0 1 10
1982–83 Moncton Alpines AHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
1983–84 Brantford Alexanders OHL 7 1 1 2 0 — — — — —
1983–84 Moncton Alpines AHL 64 1 8 9 176 — — — — —
1984–85 Edmonton Oilers NHL 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
1984–85 Nova Scotia Oilers AHL 68 2 28 30 161 5 0 3 3 40
1985–86 Nova Scotia Oilers AHL 4 0 2 2 11 — — — — —
1985–86 Edmonton Oilers NHL 55 4 20 24 166 6 0 1 1 14
1986–87 Edmonton Oilers NHL 62 7 15 22 165 15 1 3 4 45
1987–88 Edmonton Oilers NHL 79 12 43 55 286 19 1 11 12 55
1988–89 Edmonton Oilers NHL 35 3 19 22 97 7 2 2 4 20
1989–90 Edmonton Oilers NHL 75 7 34 41 171 22 5 10 15 37
1990–91 Edmonton Oilers NHL 77 13 41 54 193 18 1 2 3 45
1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 76 9 21 30 304 18 1 11 12 16
1992–93 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 78 10 47 57 214 4 0 0 0 10
1993–94 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 57 5 22 27 174 — — — — —
1994–95 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 48 1 12 13 128 16 0 1 1 26
1995–96 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 37 0 9 9 71 6 0 0 0 16
1996–97 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 21 0 0 0 29 3 0 0 0 4
1998–99 Calgary Flames NHL 69 1 14 15 80 — — — — —
1999–2000 Calgary Flames NHL 20 0 4 4 42 — — — — —
2000–01 Calgary Flames NHL 13 0 2 2 17 — — — — —
NHL totals 804 72 303 375 2139 134 11 41 52 288

International
Year Team Event   GP G A Pts PIM
1991 Canada CC 8 0 1 1 30
Senior totals 8 0 1 1 30

See also

References
  1. "NHL – Steve Smith – Calgary Flames Player Card". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2005. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  2. "1986: Own goal, oh no!". CBC Archives. 1986-04-30. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  3. Steve Smith's Costly Mistake (Apr. 30, 1986)
  4. "Edmonton Oilers Heritage Website - Steve Smith". Edmonton Oilers Heritage Website. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  5. "Canucks' Bure Out For Year With Torn ACL". Chicago Tribune. November 12, 1995. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  6. Matheson, Jim. "Steve Smith on Carolina Hurricanes bench now". edmontonjournal.com. Postmedia. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  7. "Steve Smith". oilers.nhl.com. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  8. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=31574
Preceded by
Todd Simpson		 Calgary Flames captain
1999–2000		 Succeeded by
Dave Lowry
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