skip navigation

Bobby Smith

Bobby Smith

Robert "Bobby" Smith born February 12, 1958 in North Sydney, Nova Scotia is a retired NHL ice hockey player whom played for the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota North Stars in his professional career. As a 18 year old junior hockey player playing for the Ottawa 67's in the Ontario Hockey League, Smith set league records for most points and most assists in a single season, with 69 goals and 123 assists, totalling 192 points. That same year Smith was the "second most" talked about player behind a young 16 year old phenom named Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky playing for the Soo Greyhounds at the time only played that one season and scored 182 points behind Bobby's OHL record of 192 points, and good enough for Bobby to win the 1977-78 OHL scoring title, and the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy. 

After his stay in the OHL Bobby was drafted first overall in 1978 by the last place Minnesota North Stars. At his size, 6'4" and over 200lbs, many scouts preferred Smith over Gretzky whom was off to the WHA with the WHA Edmonton Oilers, this led Smith to become the most sought after junior prospect, and the North Stars came calling for his help. And help Smith did Bobby won the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year award) in 1979 with 30 goals and 74 points.  3 seasons after Bobby was drafted from the North Stars, along with other new recruits Neal Broten, Dino Ciccarelli and Craig Hartsburg they went from worst in the league to the Stanley Cup finals in 1981 only to lose to the powerful "Veteran Rich franchise" the NY Islanders. Smith continued with the North Stars until 1983 when new coach Bill Mahoney cut Smith's ice time, Bobby reqested to be "traded to a team that appreciates me"- The Stars fulfilled his request and was traded to the Montreal Canadians in exchange for Keith Acton, Mark Napier and a draft choice (Ken Hodge Jr.). 

Smith continued playing hockey in Montreal for six and a half seasons, winning a Stanley Cup along the way in Montreal in 1986. In 1989-1990 Bobby slumped through an injury plagued season scoring only 26 points in 53 games. The Habs traded the devalued Smith back to the Stars for a draft choice on August 7, 1990. Bobby contined with the Stars for 3 more seasons with a highlight in 1991 when the North Stars returned to the Stanley Cup finals again before losing to "Mighty Mario Lemieux" and the rest of the Penguins. Smith announced his retirement just days before his last game in April of 1993 prior to the North Stars move to Dallas Texas.

Bobby is currently the majority owner of QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads. Bobby's son Daniel Smith #15 currently plays for Halifax as of the 2006-2007 season.
 

Season Team League GP G A Pts. PIM GP G A Pts. PIM
1975-76 Ottawa 67's OHA 62 24 34 58 21
1976-77 Ottawa 67's OHA 64 65 70 135 52
1977-78 Ottawa 67's OHA 61 69 123 192 44
1978-79 Minnesota North Stars NHL 80 30 44 74 39
1979-80 Minnesota North Stars NHL 61 27 56 83 24 15 1 13 14 9
1980-81 Minnesota North Stars NHL 78 29 64 93 71 19 8 17 25 13
1981-82 Minnesota North Stars NHL 80 43 71 114 82 4 2 4 6 5
1982-83 Minnesota North Stars NHL 77 24 53 77 81 9 6 4 10 17
1983-84 Minnesota North Stars NHL 10 3 6 9 9
1983-84 Montreal Canadiens NHL 70 26 37 63 62 15 2 7 9 8
1984-85 Montreal Canadiens NHL 65 16 40 56 59 12 5 6 11 30
1985-86 Montreal Canadiens NHL 79 31 55 86 55 20 7 8 15 22
1986-87 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80 28 47 75 72 17 9 9 18 19
1987-88 Montreal Canadiens NHL 78 27 66 93 78 11 3 4 7 8
1988-89 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80 32 51 83 69 21 11 8 19 46
1989-90 Montreal Canadiens NHL 53 12 14 26 35 11 1 4 5 6
1990-91 Minnesota North Stars NHL 73 15 31 46 60 23 8 8 16 56
1991-92 Minnesota North Stars NHL 68 9 37 46 111 7 1 4 5 6
1992-93 Minnesota North Stars NHL 45 5 7 12 10
NHL Totals 1077 357 679 1036 917 184 64 96 160 245