Ron Smith was a professional ice hockey player who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA). He played as a center and was known for his speed, agility, and scoring ability.
Smith began his career in the minor leagues, playing for the Tulsa Oilers in the Central Hockey League (CHL). He was then signed by the Detroit Red Wings in 1972 and made his NHL debut in the same year. He played for the Red Wings for four seasons, scoring 20 goals and 27 assists in 1975-76, which was his best season with the team.
In 1976, Smith was traded to the Washington Capitals, where he played for two seasons. He then moved to the WHA, playing for the Indianapolis Racers and the Cincinnati Stingers. He was a key player for the Racers, scoring 33 goals and 43 assists in the 1978-79 season.
After the WHA folded in 1979, Smith returned to the NHL, playing for the Los Angeles Kings. He played for the Kings for four seasons, scoring 30 goals and 39 assists in 1980-81, which was his best season with the team. He then played for the Pittsburgh Penguins for one season before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 1985.
Smith played for the Oilers for two seasons, winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 1987. He then played for the Minnesota North Stars for one season before retiring from professional hockey in 1990.
After his playing career, Smith became a coach and worked for several teams in the NHL and other leagues. He was an assistant coach for the Edmonton Oilers when they won the Stanley Cup in 1990 and 1994. He also coached the San Diego Gulls in the International Hockey League (IHL) and the Utah Grizzlies in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Overall, Ron Smith had a successful career as a professional ice hockey player, scoring a total of 363 points in 596 NHL games and 202 points in 238 WHA games. He also had a successful coaching career, helping several teams win championships.
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