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William John Smith was born December 12,
1950 in Perth, Ontario. His father was a local hockey
coach of some renown, at least in Perth. So William
and his two older brothers followed into hockey. One
brother, Gord Smith played in the NFL. Another brother
Jack is a former hockey player in the minor leagues.
Being the smallest of the three he often played goalie.
He was deemed too small to withstand the checks, and
hits, of the bigger players. So "Smitty," and later
"Battlin' Billy" took to the nets. It worked and when
he retired from the National Hockey League (NHL) players'
roster he was known as Billy (Hatchet Man) Smith. In
between he set some new standards for goalies.
His early career followed the path of
most aspiring hockey players in Canada. From 1969 to
70 he played for the Cornwall Royals. A Quebec Major
Junior Hockey League organization that tested many a
teenagers hockey soul. Moving up quickly to the next
level from 1970 to 72 he skated for the Springfield
Kings in the American Hockey League. Not yet content
he earned a position with the NHL's Los Angelos Kings
from 1971 to 72. It was there he set a NHL record for
single season penalties, and the East Coast took notice
The bright lights of New York City called.
From 1973 - 1989 he was number 31 with the New York
Islanders. He also became part of a team to win four
Stanley Cup Tournaments. That is being during the seasons
79 - 80, 80 - 81, 81 - 82 and 82 - 83. Along the way
he was named to the first ever NHL All Star Team for
his effort in 81 - 82. Trophies followed as well. For
the 81 - 82 season he earned the Vezina Trophy. A trophy
in part awarded to goaltenders that played a minimal
of 25 games and allowed the least amount of scoring.
Thanks to a spectacular performance in the years 82
- 83 Smith garnished both the Smythe and Jennings Trophys.
Conn Smythe was named after the long time legendary
owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. William M. Jennings
was once the owner of the NY Rangers.
However the "Hatchet Man" still had some
hockey left in him. During the 1987 - 88 season he became
the tenth goaltender in NHL history to record 300 career
regular season wins. In 1993 he was voted into the NHL
Hall of Fame. He was already a member of the Long Island
Sports Hall of Fame. No other NHL player can wear number
31, as it is retired. In 1997 Hockey News ranked him
as the 80th greatest hockey player of all times. To
a degree he is still making hockey news.
As his playing years ended his coaching
years started. From the moment he left the net with
the Islanders he picked up a clipboard. From 1989 to
1993 he was a goalie coach with the Islanders. A call
came from the Southern Coast and from 1993 to 2001 he
was a coach with the Florida Panthers. While he started
in a goalie coach position he spent 1998 to 2001 as
a Panthers assistant coach. Then those bright lights
beckoned once more and in 2001 he returned to the Islanders
as their goalie coach, and is still there.
More then just playing time in the North,
West or East Coast formed moments in his career. A few
things happened in Denver. In 1979 Colorado Rockies
(a franchise now called the New Jersey Devils) had player
Rob Ramage put Smith in the history books. By accident
Ramage bounced a goal into his own net. NHL rules give
the goal to the last opposing player to touch it. That
was Billy. As such in the history of the NHL Billy Smith
became the first goalie to score a goal. Others have
since then, but he was the first.
Denver gave him that but in 1997 they
took something from him. From 1987 to 1997 Smith held
the record of the most NHL Playoff Victories. Nothing
last forever and in 1997 he was tied by Patrick Roy
of the Colorado Avalanche. He since has been surpassed.
Records come and go, but there is no arguing
the trophies he earned, the Stanley Cup wins he helped
achieve, and the fact Billy "Hatchet Man" Smith still
gives to the game he loves most. In the world of hockey
he is no longer anybody's little brother.
Signed souvenir cards are available at
Autographed
To You.
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