Ryan Smyth

File:Ryansmyth.jpg

Ryan Smyth at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Ryan "Smytty" Smyth (born February 21, 1976 in Banff, Alberta) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who generally plays left wing.

Playing career

Smyth was drafted 6th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He played 3 games for the Oilers in the 1994-95 season. The following season he tallied his first goal, on 24 November, 1995, beating Trevor Kidd of the Calgary Flames while on the power play. He has the distinction of breaking one of Wayne Gretzky's Oilers records, scoring 20 goals on the power play in just his second full season. He went on to play the next eight and a half seasons in Edmonton. He was part of the Gold medal winning Team Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics. On 14 August, 2003, Smyth managed to avoid arbitration with, and a possible trade from, the Oilers by signing a two-year contract. His dedication to the team means he is a favourite among many young fans.

Besides his play for the Oilers, Smyth is also well-known for representing Canada each time he is invited to play for Canada in international tournaments. He is currently the all-time leader in games played by a Canadian in the World Hockey Championship with 50. His nickname is "Captain Canada"; he was named captain of Team Canada for the World Championships for 5 consecutive years from 2001 to 2005 (source: TSN). Smyth also played for Team Canada in the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Smyth and his wife Stacey have two daughters, Isabella and Elizabeth.

Ryan Smyth has a brother named Kevin who was compared to Cam Neely until an eye injury ended his playing career (Pierre McGuire, TSN).

Awards

• WHL East Second All-Star Team - 1995

Career statistics

				Regular Season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1991-92	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL		2	0	0	0	0		--	--	--	--	--
1992-93	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL		64	19	14	33	59		--	--	--	--	--
1993-94	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL		72	50	55	105	88		--	--	--	--	--
1994-95	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL		50	41	45	86	66		10	6	9	15	22
1994-95	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		3	0	0	0	0		--	--	--	--	--
1995-96	Cape Breton Oilers	AHL		9	6	5	11	4		--	--	--	--	--
1995-96	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		48	2	9	11	28		--	--	--	--	--
1996-97	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		82	39	22	61	76		12	5	5	10	12
1997-98	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		65	20	13	33	44		12	1	3	4	16
1998-99	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		71	13	18	31	62		3	3	0	3	0
1999-00	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		82	28	26	54	58		5	1	0	1	6
2000-01	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		82	31	39	70	58		6	3	4	7	4
2001-02	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		61	15	35	50	48		--	--	--	--	--
2002-03	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		66	27	34	61	67		6	2	0	2	16
2003-04	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		82	23	36	59	70		--	--	--	--	--
2005-06	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		75	36	30	66	58		11	4	6	10	8
NHL Totals				717	234	262	496	569		55	19	18	37	62

International play

Olympic medal record
Men's Ice hockey
	2002 Salt Lake City	Ice hockey

Played for Canada in:

• 1995 World Junior Championships (gold medal)
• 1999 World Championships
• 2000 World Championships
• 2001 World Championships
• 2002 World Championships (gold medal)
• 2002 Winter Olympics (gold medal)
• 2003 World Championships (gold medal)
• 2004 World Championships (gold medal)
• 2005 World Championships (silver medal)
• 2006 Winter Olympics (failed to medal)

International statistics

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1995	Canada	WJC		7	2	5	7	4
1999	Canada	WC		10	0	2	2	12
2000	Canada	WC		9	3	6	9	0
2001	Canada	WC		7	2	3	5	4
2002	Canada	Oly		6	0	1	1	0
2002	Canada	WC		7	4	0	4	2
2003	Canada	WC		9	2	2	4	2
2004	Canada	WC		9	2	2	4	2
2004	Canada	WCH		6	3	1	4	2
2005	Canada	WC		9	2	1	3	6
2006	Canada	Oly		6	0	1	1	4
Senior Int'l Totals				78	18	19	37	34