Smyth was from Banff, Alberta, and was chosen sixth overall by his home province, the Oilers, in 1994. The Albertan had a breakout season in 1996-97, scoring 61 points and leading the NHL in Power Play Goals. He regressed in the two years that followed, but would go on a seven-year streak of 50 or more Points. Smyth was the prototypical power forward, utilizing his strength and positioning to compensate for a lack of speed. While some may have seen him as limited, his determination had few peers.
Smyth would lead the Oilers to a surprising Stanley Cup appearance in 2006, but he grew frustrated with the team’s lack of success and requested a trade, which he got in February of 2007. After playing for the New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings, he returned to play his final three seasons in hockey with the Edmonton Oilers.
He would overall score 631 Points with 296 Goals over his career with the Oilers, and in 2022, he was inducted into Edmonton's inaugural Hall of Fame Class.
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