Professional Hockey Coach. Born Ronald Earl Smith, he distinguished himself at football, basketball and field and track while at high school. Additionally, he played baseball and hockey in his neighborhood. In fact, he was good enough on the baseball diamond to be noticed by the San Francisco Giants, who signed him to a contract. After a few seasons of Minor League baseball, he attended the University of Waterloo where he played hockey on the collegiate level. Impressed with the coaching aspect of the game, he focussed fully on becoming a coach. He worked his way up the ranks and served as head coach of the Guelph Holody Platers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 1975. in 1980, he began a lengthy association with Roger Neilson, when he was hired as an assistant with the Buffalo Sabres. Smith followed him to Vancouver and was on staff when the Canucks reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1982. He succeeded Neilson as head coach of the New York Rangers during the 1992-1993 season and compiled a 15 win, 22 loss, 7 tie record. He experienced a second run at a Stanley Cup, when he served as bench coach under Pat Quinn with the Vancouver Canucks' team which reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994. Smith went on to serve as a pro scout with the Carolina Hurricanes and was helpful with the team's winning of the Stanley Cup in 2006.
Professional Hockey Coach. Born Ronald Earl Smith, he distinguished himself at football, basketball and field and track while at high school. Additionally, he played baseball and hockey in his neighborhood. In fact, he was good enough on the baseball diamond to be noticed by the San Francisco Giants, who signed him to a contract. After a few seasons of Minor League baseball, he attended the University of Waterloo where he played hockey on the collegiate level. Impressed with the coaching aspect of the game, he focussed fully on becoming a coach. He worked his way up the ranks and served as head coach of the Guelph Holody Platers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 1975. in 1980, he began a lengthy association with Roger Neilson, when he was hired as an assistant with the Buffalo Sabres. Smith followed him to Vancouver and was on staff when the Canucks reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1982. He succeeded Neilson as head coach of the New York Rangers during the 1992-1993 season and compiled a 15 win, 22 loss, 7 tie record. He experienced a second run at a Stanley Cup, when he served as bench coach under Pat Quinn with the Vancouver Canucks' team which reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994. Smith went on to serve as a pro scout with the Carolina Hurricanes and was helpful with the team's winning of the Stanley Cup in 2006.
Bio by: C.S.
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