Kevin Smyth is not just a big man. He is in fact a huge man, says his coach Brian Sutter.
But he is undeniably a hockey player blessed with an equally huge heart, determination and courage.
Smyth is also 40 years old, considered long in the tooth for playing organized hockey. But Sutter believes the Innisfail Eagles' power forward, who stands an imposing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 260 pounds, still has a lot to offer to the team that is seeking to win the Chinook Hockey League's crown in its inaugural season in the men's senior AAA circuit.
ìHe knows what it takes to win. He played pro for a long time,î said Sutter, who eagerly grabbed Smyth's talents following the forward's many years with the Allan Cup champion Bentley Generals. ìHe is a big man who is not afraid to go into the tough areas.
ìThe experience these type of players bring, you just can't coach these things,î added Sutter.
Smyth's journey to the Eagles' fold is a story that is both inspirational and graced with loyalty.
The forward was a former fourth round NHL draft pick in 1992 selected by the Hartford Whalers. After three years of trying to break into the Whalers' lineup Smyth's professional career faced the ultimate challenge.
On Dec. 28, 1996, while playing with the International Hockey League's Orlando Solar Bears, Smyth was struck in the right eye following a point shot in a game against the Indianapolis Ice.
The injury would cause permanent blindness in his eye. But Smyth refused to quit. He was back in action less than three months later and recorded an assist in his first game back.
However, his NHL dreams were over, although his younger brother Ryan would later go on to star for the Edmonton Oilers, earn a gold medal with the Canadian team at the 2002 Winter Olympics and become known as "Captain Canada" for his loyal service to Canada's world championship teams.
Smyth continued to play in the minors for another three years after his injury and then he retired in 1999. He tried minor pro one more time in 2001 but that lasted only three months.
The records show that Smyth played seven seasons of professional hockey with parts of three with Hartford. He scored six goals and added eight assists in 58 NHL games.
The tragedy of losing a once promising sports career that would be the envy of any man to a fluke accident would make many bitter. But not Kevin Smyth.
ìI never felt woe is me. What really helped me was going to hospitals and seeing kids that were having a hard time with cancer and those types of things. That helped me to put things in perspective,î said Smyth. ìWe play a game and that is all it is ñ a game. In the end I can still be a dad, good husband, be a teammate, a good friend and still have my life.î
Smyth went on to build a solid after-hockey career in Red Deer where he is now a realtor. But hockey was still in his blood and he decided in 2002 to also play men's senior hockey with Bentley. It was there he cemented his long, loyal relationship with Sutter.
ìWhen Brian moved here it was a pretty easy transition for me to come. It is that loyalty to him and for what he has done in the past and present that played a big part in wanting to come back,î said Smyth, who ended his playing days in Bentley two years ago and helped Sutter on the bench last year. ìHe demands a lot from all his players and we all, whether we are young or old, want to win and I think he brings that to a team.î
Smyth said despite his age and the year off from playing hockey he still feels he can be one of Sutter's key ingredients to build a team that will contend for the Allan Cup.
ìIf you are willing to look at yourself in the mirror and say I can do better you are bringing something to the table and I do think I have more to give,î said Smyth. ìI knew starting this season not playing last year that I would have to climb the ladder so my goal was to be ready. I just have to make sure I am keeping myself in the best shape I can to help the team.î
While Smyth does bring valuable experience to the team, he's also an inspirational force that adds other intangibles, like character -- a teammate who has gone through the absolute worst circumstances an athlete can face and stared them down with a will that ensures losing and quitting is not an option.
ìI never looked at it that way,î said Smyth as to whether he's an inspirational force for his teammates. ìI just think I am a piece of the puzzle. Everybody brings different things. I think I can add some experience, that can settle us down when we need to be settled down, and kicked in the butt when we need to be kicked in the butt.î
