Gary Smith (ice hockey)

Gary Edward Smith (born February 4, 1944) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Gary is a son of Des Smith and brother of Brian Smith, both former National Hockey League (NHL) players. Smith played for numerous clubs, including the Chicago Black Hawks, Oakland/California Seals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets. He was the co-winner of the Vezina Trophy in the 1971–72 NHL season. Near the end of his career, Smith played for the World Hockey Association in its last year of operation in 1978. He played eleven games as the goaltender for the Indianapolis Racers. He went winless in eleven starts and was out of the team by January of 1979. However, at the urging of his wife, he inquired if the Winnipeg Jets were looking for some help after they had lost a game 10-1; two weeks later, the Jets called to see if he was ready to play hockey, which he agreed to. He started ten games and won seven of them before being tabbed to start the 1979 WHA playoffs. He won eight of his ten starts as the Jets won the Avco World Trophy. Smith closed his career out the following year with the Jets in the NHL and the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League.