Career
Playing career
During the 1968-1969 season Smith played for the Cobourg Cougars of the Eastern Ontario O.H.A. Junior B League. From 1969 to 1970, Smith played for the Saint Catharines Black Hawks of the Canadian Hockey League (Ontario Hockey Association). He was traded to the Sorel Black Hawks of the CHL (Quebec Major Junior A League) during the 1970-1971 season.
Smith was subsequently traded again prior to the 1971-1972 season to the Cornwall Royals of the Quebec League.
Smith"s initial professional career was commenced by splitting the 1972-1973 season between playing with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League and the New Haven Nighthawks of the American Hockey League. Smith was selected by the New York Islanders as the first player in the 4th round of the 1972 National Hockey League amateur draft of players (#49 overall).
He played 11 National Hockey League games for the Islanders. Later, Smith played for the Fort Worth Wings, the Fort Worth Texans of the Central Hockey League, Bodens BK in Sweden and the Erie Blades of the North American Hockey League.
He retired from play in 1977.
Post playing
Smith replaced Roger Neilson as head coach of the New York Rangers in 1993, his only head coaching position in the National Hockey League. With Smith as coach, the Rangers had a 15-22-7 record, and he did not return the following season. Later, Smith was elected and became the Mayor of the Municipality of Portuguese Hope, Ontario from 1994 to 2000.