Ryan Smyth

Ryan Alexander Borden Smyth (born February 21, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He played parts of 19 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings.

Smyth is a one-time All-Star, being named to the NHL ones in 2007. Internationally, Smyth played for Canada. He won a gold medal them at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Since retiring, Smyth became an owner of the Spruce Grove Saints of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Smyth played parts of four seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had a successful time with the Warriors. He was named to the WHL East Second All-Star Team.

He was drafted 6th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1994 NHL entry draft. On January 22, 1995, Smyth made his NHL debut in a 4–3 win against the Los Angeles Kings. On November 24, he scored his first career NHL goal against Trevor Kidd in a 5–2 win against the Calgary Flames. He played 6 games with their AHL-affiliate Cape Breton Oilers, scoring 6 goals and recording 5 assists for 11 points. He finished the 1996–97 season with career-bests in 39 goals and recording 61 points. He also tied Wayne Gretzky for most powerplay goals scored for the Oilers. On August 14, 2003, Smyth signed a two-year contract to stay with the Oilers.

The 2003–04 season ended well for Smyth and he was very productive during it. He finished the season by scoring 23 goals and recording 36 assists for 59 points which was the second straight season where he led the team in scoring. Smyth served as an alternate captain for the team and also served as their captain when Jason Smith was injured. He helped the Oilers when they went on a run in the playoffs. They defeated the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. They went on to be defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes four games to three in the Final. On October 12, 2006, Smyth scored a hat-trick in two minutes and one second which broke Gretzky's record for fastest hat-trick by an Oiler.

On February 27, 2007, the Oilers traded Smyth to the New York Islanders in exchange for Robert Nilsson, Ryan O'Marra, and a 2007 first-round draft pick. Smyth did not want to be traded from Edmonton and gave a tearful farewell to Oilers fans for supporting him. He played 18 regular season games with the Islanders, scoring 5 goals and recording 10 assists for 15 points.

On July 1, 2007, Smyth signed a five-year, $31.2 million contract to join the Colorado Avalanche. On January 18, 2009, Smyth scored his 300th NHL career goal in in a 6–2 win over the Calgary Flames. Smyth's teammate Milan Hejduk also scored his 300th goal in the same game.

On July 3, 2009, the Avalanche traded Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Tom Preissing, Kyle Quincey, and a 2010 fifth-round draft pick. On November 6, 2010, Smyth played in his 1,000 NHL game in a 4–1 over the Nashville Predators. During the game, he scored a goal against Pekka Rinne.

On June 26, 2011, the Kings traded Smyth back to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Colin Fraser and a 2012 seventh-round draft pick. This came after Smyth expressed to the Kings that he desired to play his final season with the Oilers. On March 6, 2014, Smyth broke Wayne Gretzky's record to become the Oilers all-time power-play goal-scorer.

On April 11, 2014, Smyth announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey.

Personal life
Smyth's older brother Kevin also played 58 games for the Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Smyth is a Christian.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1976 births
Category:Living people
Category:Canadian Christians
Category:Canadian ice hockey left wingers
Category:Cape Breton Oilers players
Category:Colorado Avalanche players
Category:Edmonton Oilers players
Category:Ice hockey people from Alberta
Category:Los Angeles Kings players
Category:Moose Jaw Warriors players
Category:New York Islanders players
Category:Olympic gold medalists for Canada