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


James Stephen Smith, better known as Steve Smith, is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman and current assistant coach of the Buffalo Sabres He played in the National Hockey League 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.

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, 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. The Oilers never recovered and ultimately lost the series, while Calgary went on to the Stanley Cup Finals. 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.

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.

Personal life

Smith was born in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, but grew up in Cobourg, Ontario.
He is married and has five children. His son, Barron Smith, was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 7th round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Awards

Regular season and playoffs

International