Derrick Smith was a professional ice hockey player who played as a left winger. He was born on January 23, 1965, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Smith began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Ottawa 67's in 1981. He played for the 67's for four seasons, from 1981 to 1985, and was a key player in the team's success during that time.
In 1985, Smith was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Flyers in the 1985-86 season and played for the team for four seasons. During his time with the Flyers, Smith was known for his physical play and his ability to score goals. He was a key player in the team's run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1987, where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers.
In 1989, Smith was traded to the Minnesota North Stars, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Quebec Nordiques for one season before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 1992. Smith played for the Canucks for two seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1994.
Smith's career was cut short due to injuries, and he retired from professional hockey in 1995. Over the course of his career, he played in 514 NHL games, scoring 123 goals and 139 assists for a total of 262 points. He was known for his physical play and his ability to score goals, and was a fan favorite wherever he played.
After retiring from hockey, Smith remained involved in the sport as a coach and a scout. He coached minor hockey teams in Canada and the United States, and worked as a scout for the Ottawa Senators and the Florida Panthers. He also worked as a commentator for TSN, a Canadian sports network.
Overall, Derrick Smith had a successful career as a professional hockey player, playing for several NHL teams and making a name for himself as a physical player and a goal scorer. Despite his career being cut short by injuries, he remained involved in the sport and continued to make a contribution to the hockey community.
🏒