Richard Smehlik
Richard Smehlik (born
January 23,
1970, in
Ostrava,
Czechoslovakia) is a former
National Hockey League defenseman. He was drafted in the fifth round, 97th overall, by the
Buffalo Sabres in the
1990 NHL Entry Draft.
Smehlik joined the Sabres for the
1992-93 season, and played there for nine seasons. He left via
free agency for the
Atlanta Thrashers before the
2002-03 season.
At the trade deadline of the 2002-03 season, Smehlik was traded to the
New Jersey Devils in exchange for a draft pick. Smehlik would go on to win the
Stanley Cup that season with the Devils. He retired following the season.
In his NHL career, Smehlik appeared in 644 games, tallying 49 goals and adding 146 assists. He also appeared in 88 playoff games, scoring 1 goal and recording 14 assists.
*Gold Medal at
1998 Winter Olympics (with
Czech Republic)
*The draft pick the Sabres used to select Smehlik was acquired from the
New York Rangers in exchange for
Lindy Ruff. Ruff would later become the Sabres' head coach, and Smehlik would play under him for five seasons.
*
Richard Smehlik @ hockeydb.com
