In his first season with Toronto, Smith left his crease in a game against the Montreal Canadiens in an attempt to be the first NHL goalie to score a goal. He reached the Canadiens' blueline before J. C. Tremblay issued a heavy bodycheck.[3] The NHL subsequently introduced a rule prohibiting the goaltender from being involved in play after crossing the center red line.[4] On occasion, Smith continued to attempt to score from within his side of the red line.[5]
He was eventually given the nickname "Suitcase" Smith by Toronto Star journalist Red Burnett due to the large number of teams for which he played.[6] After playing with the dismal California Golden Seals from 1967–68 to 1970–71, with whom he set records in 1970–71 for both the most games played in a single season and most losses in a single season, his first success was sharing the 1971–72Vezina Trophy with Tony Esposito while with the Chicago Black Hawks. One year later, Smith and Esposito helped lead the Black Hawks to the Stanley Cup Finals, which they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in six games.
In 1974–75, he had a fine season with the Vancouver Canucks, with 72 games played and six shutouts. Smith finished fifth place in balloting for the 1975 Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team. The ultimate winner, Bobby Clarke, said in his acceptance speech that Smith was more deserving of the award. The following season, after giving up five goals to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Smith was pulled from the game but rather than stay on the bench he left the Pacific Coliseum and drove home still wearing his equipment.[7][6] He was suspended indefinitely by the team,[8] later reduced to five games, and later said "It's tough driving in your skates."[7]
Smith's last coach in Winnipeg was Tom McVie, who coached Smith the previous season while both were with the Washington Capitals.[12]
Smith was noted for his ritual of removing his entire uniform and goaltending gear between periods and putting it all back on again. He claimed his skate boots would stretch in size, forcing him to wear as many as 13 pairs of socks at times. He performed his undressing routine throughout his career as an active player, even after resolving his skate boot issues.[13]
Smith was also known for punting the puck down the ice,[14] allegedly in at attempt to hit the scoreclock.[6]
Personal life
His brother Brian was also a professional hockey player, and on December 19, 1967 Brian's Los Angeles Kings played Gary's Oakland Seals, and Gary gave up two goals to his brother.[15][16] Brian later became a television sports news anchor in Ottawa, until he was murdered in 1995. In 1996 Gary, at the time a process server in Vancouver, was one of many former players who received a court settlement for pension payments owed by the league, and announced his intention to purchase a racehorse he would name Broadcaster, in honour of his brother.
Gary currently resides in Del Mar, California and continues to manage his horses.[citation needed]
Banks, David (July 18, 1997). "A horse of a different color is Smith: Goalie Suitcase Gary takes a run at owning a race horse". The Province. Vancouver, British Columbia. p. A56.
