Smelhik concentrated more on his side of the ice after his recovery, and he was still a valuable commodity exhibiting a high hockey IQ. In 2002, he left Buffalo for the Atlanta Thrashers via free agency, and he retired after winning the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils. Notably, Smehlik was also an Olympic Gold Medalist with the Czech Republic in 1998, while he was still a Sabre.
31. Richard Smehlik
Richard Smehlik had a good first two seasons in the National Hockey League, where the Czech blueliner scored 72 Points. A knee injury took him out of half of the 1994-95 season and the entire 1995-96 season, but he returned, albeit with less of an offensive touch.
The Bullet Points
- Position: Defence
- Acquired: Selected in the 5th Round, 97th Overall in the NHL Draft 6/16/90.
- Departed: Signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Thrashers 7/11/02.
- Games Played: 589
-
Notable Statistics:
47 Goals
135 Assists
182 Points
399 PIM
.31 PPG
+67 Plus/Minus
42.3 Point Shares
83 Playoff Games
1 Goal
14 Assists
15 Points
38 PIM
.18 PPG
+3 Plus/Minus - Major Accolades and Awards: None.
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