Gary Smith (ice hockey)

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For other people with this name, see Gary Smith.

Gary "Suitcase" Smith, a former professional ice hockey goaltender, was born in Ottawa, Ontario on February 4, 1944. He is the brother of the late former professional hockey player and CJOH television sports anchor, Brian Smith. His father, Des Smith, was a former NHL player.

Position: Goaltender
Catches: Left
Height: 6 ft 4 in
Weight: 215 lb

[edit] Playing career

Smith won a Memorial Cup with the Toronto Marlboros in 1964. Entering the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1965, he eventually earned the nickname "Suitcase" Smith because of the large number of teams he played for. After playing with the dismal California Golden Seals from 1967-71, where he set records in 1970-71 for both the most games played in a single season and most losses in a single season, his first success was sharing the 1971-72 Vezina Trophy with Tony Esposito while with the Chicago Black Hawks. In 1974-75, he also had a fine season with the Vancouver Canucks, with 72 games played and six shutouts. Smith later played in the World Hockey Association, and was part of the Winnipeg Jets' 1979 Avco World Trophy championship.