IMAGE INFORMATION
EditClinton James "Snuffy" Smith - Born December 12, 1913 in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan - Died May 19, 2009 in Vancouver, British Columbia was a Canadian ice Hockey centre and coach.
- Corbeau Cup Champion 1932 with Saskatoon Wesley Juniors.
- Mitchner Cup Champion 1932 with Saskatoon Wesley Juniors.
- Ross Memorial Cup Champion 1932 with Saskatoon Wesley Juniors.
- North West Hockey League Champion 1935 with Vancouver Lions.
- Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Winner 1939 with New York Rangers, 1944 with Chicago Black Hawks.
- Stanley Cup Champion 1940 with New York Rangers.
Stanley Cup finalist 1944.
- NHL Regular Season Champion 1941-42 with New York Rangers.
- Prince of Wales Trophy Champion 1943 with New York Rangers.
- O'Brien Trophy Champion 1944 with Chicago Black Hawks.
- United States Hockey League Champion 1949 with St. Paul Saints (player/coach).
Smith played his minor and junior Hockey in Saskatoon, helping the Saskatoon Wesley Juniors win the Saskatchewan junior championship in 1932.
Smith turned pro with the Saskatoon Crescents for the 1932-33 season, joining the Springfield Indians in late season.
Smith then joined the Vancouver Lions for the 1933-34 season in the North West Hockey League, winning the championship in 1935.
The New York Rangers had signed Smith to a contract in 1932 while he was playing with Saskatoon Crescents, and sent him to play with their farm team, the Philadelphia Ramblers in 1936, also calling him up to the NHL for a couple of games that season, making his NHL debut on March 9, 1937 vs New York Americans at Madison Square Garden in a 7-5 Rangers win.
Smith scored his 1st NHL goal vs Mike Karakas of Chicago Black Hawks at 4:16 of 2nd period on March 16, 1937 at Madison Square Garden in a 4-3 Chicago win.
Smith became a full time Ranger the next season.
Smith scored his 1st NHL hat-trick vs Claude Bourque of Montreal Canadiens on December 8, 1938 at Montreal Forum in a 6-5 Rangers win.
Smith helped the Rangers win the 1940 Stanley Cup championship. He assisted on the tying goal vs the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending game 6 into overtime, which his teammate Bryan Hextall scored the championship goal.
Smith was later traded to the Chicago Black Hawks in October, 1943 helping them reach the 1944 Stanley Cup finals, winning the O'Brien Trophy as NHL playoff runner-up.
Smith also scored the 1st NHL empty net goal vs Boston Bruins on November 11, 1943 at 19:12 of 3rd period at Chicago Stadium in a 6-4 Black Hawks win.
Smith also set the NHL record at the time for assists in a season with 49 during the 1943-44 season, finishing with a league high 72 points.
Smith rounded out his playing career with the Tulsa Oilers (1947-48) and St. Paul Saints (1948-51), also coaching them as a player/coach.
Clint Smith was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.
