Captain Aerosex Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 "Nineteen-year NHL veteran Ryan Smyth of the Edmonton Oilers is expected to announce his retirement Saturday, according to reports. The Oilers play host to the Vancouver Canucks in their season finale Saturday night. Smyth, an Alberta native, was the No. 6 pick in the 1994 NHL Draft by the Oilers and played 15 seasons over two stints with Edmonton. Smyth was also renowned on the international stage and earned the nickname "Captain Canada" mainly for his exploits at the IIHF World Championship, where he served as captain a team-record six times. Smyth also played for Canada in the IIHF World Junior Championship, the World Cup of Hockey and the Olympics, winning gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Smyth has 10 goals and 23 points in 71 games this season. In 1,269 career regular-season games, he has 386 goals and 842 points. He added 28 goals and 59 points in 93 Stanley Cup Playoff games." http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=714037&navid=nhl:topheads I don't know about any of you, but I remember in '06 I cheered for the Oilers in that playoff run. They had barely beaten us for that 8th and final spot in the conference, so I figured if they rightfully won that spot over the Canucks I'd like to see them do something with it and bring the Cup back to Canada. It was hard to not cheer for them that postseason. And Ryan Smyth was the epitome of that team; gritty, never-said-die, did whatever it took to get the win. He's one of the most respectable guys in the league, a true beauty. I hope he enjoys his retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Stork Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 And tomorrow he will play his last game as an oiler against us Go Oilers?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikael Samuelsson Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 You either retire a hero or play long enough to be a healthy scratch on the Oilers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riviera82 Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 A real good hockey player. One thing I never understood was why he was able to be captain of Team Canada so many times but he wasn't able to be captain of the Oilers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totes McGoats Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Well, hopefully our captain does the right thing, and give Ryan a bit of love - similar to the way Iggy did it for Linden when he retired. Smyth is one of most respected players in the league, and he deserves a farewell. It's a mean-nothing game for both teams... but I bet it means something to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apple Juice Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Good long career. Sucks he had to waste his years away on some poorly managed teams but he's a good heart and soul kinda guy. He'll probably be back with the Oilers working for management sometime soon if he decides to and I wouldn't be surprised if they retire his jersey number somewhere down the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tearloch7 Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I only ever cheered for him when he was playing for our World Championship teams .. hard working and fearless at going to the net .. I wish him well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blame Obama Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 speculation? its official in an hour, no? edit: why cant I delete post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lonny_Bohonos_14 Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 So how long before he is coaching the team? My bet, he is named an assistant by the 2015/16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totes McGoats Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 2 Days later - Ryan Smyth has been announced as President and Alternate Governer of hockey ops in Edmonton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-DLC- Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I never hated him. That's kind of how I assess things in hockey. All the best to him...it's been a good career and I was happy for him when he returned to the Oilers. Then I was sad for him, for his return to the Oilers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-DLC- Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Well, hopefully our captain does the right thing, and give Ryan a bit of love - similar to the way Iggy did it for Linden when he retired. Smyth is one of most respected players in the league, and he deserves a farewell. It's a mean-nothing game for both teams... but I bet it means something to him. That was a defining Iggy moment for me. Went from hating him as the enemy to really respecting him and seeing him in a different light. To call his players back out there...that was huge. Yes, I would hope our fans show respect and give Ryan a fitting ovation. As hockey fans, it's important to recognize all players who have contributed to the game we love, not just our own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.K. Chesterton Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Does he means as much to the Oilers as Linden means to Vancouver? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck or Die Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 That was a defining Iggy moment for me. Went from hating him as the enemy to really respecting him and seeing him in a different light. To call his players back out there...that was huge. Yes, I would hope our fans show respect and give Ryan a fitting ovation. As hockey fans, it's important to recognize all players who have contributed to the game we love, not just our own.Hopefully Linden will try to sign Iggy in the off-season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancaster Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Does he means as much to the Oilers as Linden means to Vancouver? He would have, except the Oilers happens to have the dynasty of the 80's to cheer on. In terms of playing career, respect from around the league, etc... he's pretty much like Linden. Plays a strong and clean game, respected by players, oppositions, refs, etc. Heart and soul type guy, helped a struggling team to game 7 of the 2006 finals.... signed a few years elsewhere for a chance to win the cup, but eventually returned back to the Oilers to mentor the younger players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insomniac604 Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Smyth has a reputation for hard work and scoring dirty goals. His retirement is a blow to the Oilers. But I think it is the right decision. His role has decreased while injuries continue to creep up. The older you are the harder it is to come back.Edmonton has a crop of young talent that only knows how to lose. Smyth would be the perfect hire for some assistant job that allows him to motivate the locker-room.He has had a good career with a crappy team and deserves whatever accolades & praise he gets.Personally I think he has another season or two in him, but realizes it can't be with the Oilers. Rather than play 3rd/4th line, or switch teams, he is choosing to retire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I have nothing but respect for Iggy for what he did. Hope the Canucks do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thema Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I never hated him. That's kind of how I assess things in hockey. All the best to him...it's been a good career and I was happy for him when he returned to the Oilers. Then I was sad for him, for his return to the Oilers.This. Smyth was the oilers version of Linden. Pity he never won a Cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goal:thecup Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Does he means as much to the Oilers as Linden means to Vancouver?No, they have Gretzky for that (not to mention Muck Messier). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down by the River Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I have nothing but respect for Iggy for what he did. Hope the Canucks do the same. One of my favourite Canuck moments of all time. Girlfriend looks at me and asks what's wrong. Just doesn't get it haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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