Ron Smith (ice hockey)

For other people with this name, see Ron Smith (disambiguation).
Ron Smith
Born (1952-11-19) November 19, 1952
Port Hope, Ontario
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for New York Islanders
NHL Draft 49th overall, 1972
New York Islanders
Playing career 19691977

Ronald Robert Smith (born November 19, 1952) is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman and coach, as well as a politician.After his playing career he was head coach of the New York Rangers in 1993, and he was Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope, Ontario from 1994 to 2000.

Biography

Playing career

During the 1968-69 season Smith played for the Cobourg Cougars of the Eastern Ontario O.H.A. Junior B League. From 1969 to 1970, Smith played for the St. Catharines Black Hawks of the Canadian Hockey League (Ontario Hockey Association). He was traded to the Sorel Black Hawks of the CHL (Quebec Major Junior A League) during the 1970-71 season. Smith was subsequently traded again prior to the 1971-72 season to the Cornwall Royals of the Quebec League. This trade was most fortunate for Smith and his teammates as the "Royals" won the 1972 Memorial Cup National Championship. Smith's initial professional career was commenced by splitting the 1972-73 season between playing with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League and the New Haven Nighthawks of the American Hockey League.

Smith was selected by the New York Islanders as the first player in the 4th round of the 1972 NHL amateur draft of players (#49 overall). He played 11 NHL games for the Islanders. Later, Smith played for the Fort Worth Wings, the Fort Worth Texans of the Central Hockey League, Bodens BK in Sweden and the Erie Blades of the North American Hockey League. He retired from play in 1977.

Post playing

Smith replaced Roger Neilson as head coach of the New York Rangers in 1993,[1] his only head coaching position in the NHL. With Smith as coach, the Rangers had a 15-22-7 record, and he did not return the following season.[2]

Later, Smith was elected and became the Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope, Ontario from 1994 to 2000.

References

  1. Yannis, Alex (10 February 1993). "Smith, Rangers' Coach, Playing 'I've Got a Secret'". New York Times. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  2. "Ron Smith". Hockey Reference. Retrieved 31 May 2014.

External links

Preceded by
Roger Neilson
Head coach of the New York Rangers
1993
Succeeded by
Mike Keenan


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