1979-80 O-Pee-Chee 206 Bobby Smith Hockey Card (Front)
1979-80 O-Pee-Chee 206 Bobby Smith Hockey Card (Back)
1979-80 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
Audio Version on Spotify
Card Notes
Bobby is an excellent skater who has the agility and coordination of a smaller man.
En Français
Malgrée sa carrure et son poids, Bobby est un patineur agile et rapide.
Details
After leaving a permanent mark on the OHL record books in 1977-78, Bobby Smith was off to the Minnesota North Stars for an outstanding rookie season in the National Hockey League. His 123 assists and 192 points in 77-78 with the Ottawa 67’s may likely remain forever on the OHL’s record books.
His performance with the 67’s earned him the spot as the number one overall pick at the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Bobby is one of three first rounders that year to go on to play over 1,000 games in the NHL. The others: Ryan Walter and Brad Marsh.
All three of those players were in the running for the Calder Trophy in 1977-78. However, it was Smith that came out on top with more than twice the number of votes as the second place Walter. Bobby earned the award while leading the North Stars offensively with 30 goals and 44 assists for 74 points.
His best offensive season in the NHL came a few years later. In 1981-82, he totaled 114 points on 43 goals and 71 assists for the North Stars. Smith was a major factor in teammate Dino Ciccarelli scoring 55 goals. In a November 11, 1981 game against the Winnipeg Jets, the two combined for 12 points as the North Stars blew out the Jets and goaltender Doug Soetaert 15-1.
Between 1978-79 and 1992-93, Bobby Smith played 1,077 regular season and 184 Stanley Cup playoff games with the Minnesota North Stars and Montreal Canadiens. He helped the Habs to a Stanley Cup championship in 1985-86.