On of the top goalies in WHA history, Al Smith had two successful tours with the WHA Whalers (1972-1975) and (1977-1979). He led the Whalers to the Avco Cup Championship in 1972-73.
Al Smith began his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs . He would also play with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Hartford Whalers and Colorado Rockies. One of the most infamous moments of his career came on February 13, 1977 when he quit the Buffalo Sabres. Reunited with former Maple Leafs coach Punch Imlach, now the Buffalo General Manager, Smith was to replace injured Sabres goalie Gerry Desjardins in a game against the Minnesota North Stars. The Sabres had also called up Don Edwards and less than an hour before gametime, Imlach ordered Sabres coach Floyd Smith to play Edwards instead.[1] After the playing of the National Anthem, Smith stepped off the bench, saluted Buffalo owners Seymour and Northrup Knox and headed for the dressing room.
Smith had more success in the WHA with the New England Whalers where he would earn the honour of WHA's top goaltender in 1978.[1] A third team WHA All-Star for two consecutive years, many people in hockey felt Smith was robbed when snubbed by Team Canada for the 1974 Summit Series between WHA All-Stars and the Russian national team. [
In addition to the Avco Cup, Smith notched these individual awards:
- Played in World Hockey Association All-Star Game, 1972–73
- Named to World Hockey Association All-Star Third Team, 1972–73
- Played in World Hockey Association All-Star Game, 1973–74
- Named to World Hockey Association All-Star Third Team, 1973–74
- Played in World Hockey Association All-Star Game, 1974–75
- Winner, Top WHA Goaltender), 1977–78
- Named to World Hockey Association All-Star First Team, 1977–78
Comments