Top 50 Canucks players of all time: #44 – Gary Smith

This seems a little high to rank a player who only spent three years with the organization. However, when you look back on the story of Smith with the Canucks, it’s clear to see why he’s on the list.

Gary Smith, nicknamed the ‘Suitcase’ for playing for seven different teams throughout his 14 NHL seasons, was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks by the Canucks in May of 1973 – Dale Tallon was sent back to Chicago. The Canucks marked Smith’s fifth team in his ninth season.

Being in just their fourth season in the franchise’s history, the Canucks were still in search of their first playoff experience. But as a still-rebuilding team, Smith could only do so much. He started 20 of the Canucks’ 24 wins that season, en route to their third straight seventh-place finish in the East Division.

Despite his best efforts, Smith finished his first year with a 20-33-8 record, a 3.44 goals against average (GAA) and a .894 save percentage (S%). But everything would change for Smith and the city of Vancouver in his second year with the Canucks.

The Canucks decided to fully put their trust in Smith, and he did not disappoint. Having started all but 13 games in his first year in Vancouver, Smith started 72 of the 80 games in 1974-1975. His 32-24-9 record, along with his 3.04 GAA and a .895 S% with six shutouts, helped the Canucks not only advance to their first-ever playoff appearance, but also walk them right into first in the Smythe Division. Smith started the most games in the NHL that year, proving his durability and dedication to not only his craft, but the city of Vancouver. However, Smith and the Canucks were eliminated after just one win in their five playoff games.

The following season (1975-1976), the Canucks repeated that regular season success, finishing one point away from back-to-back Smythe Division titles. Smith, by his standards set last season, had a difficult year. He finished with a 20-24-6 record, with a 3.51 GAA and a .882 S%. This led to Smith losing his job to a young, 24-year-old goaltender Curt Ridley, in the preliminary round. The Canucks went on to lose that series against the Montreal Canadiens 2-0.

And after just three seasons in Vancouver, Smith was then traded to the Minnesota North Stars in 1976 in exchange for Cesar Maniago.

Despite his short stint in Vancouver, Smith’s efforts in the 1974-1975 season alone made him a fan favourite for his charismatic personality and willingness to put his body on the line for his teammates and the rink on his jersey. Fans made signs showing their support for him, voted him into the NHL All-Star game, and some even believed he deserved the Hart Trophy over Bobby Clarke.

The fact that Smith carried the Canucks to their first-ever playoff appearance solidifies him in the top 50 Vancouver Canucks of all time.

Our previously ranked top 50 Canucks of all-time:

#50 – Curt Fraser
#49 – Dave Babych
#48 – Martin Gelinas
#47 – Chris Oddleifson
#46 – Jannik Hansen
#45 – Ivan Boldirev