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. Ice hockey tournaments have been competed at the Olympic Games since the 1920 Summer Olympics. ... The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were celebrated in 1992 in Albertville, France. ... The 1992 Winter Olympics Ice hockey results in Albertville, France. ... The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, were held in 1998 in Nagano, Japan. ... The mens gold medal game: Russia vs Czech Republic 1998 was the first year that featured women in ice hockey competition. ... January 23 is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... Ostrava ( ) (IPA: ) (German: Ostrau, Polish: Ostrawa) is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region. ... NHL redirects here. ... Defenceman (defenseman in American English) is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily defence. ... The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. ... B.C. Place, Vancouver, British Columbia The 1990 NHL Entry Draft was held June 16th at B.C. Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. ...

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. The 1992-93 NHL season was the 76th regular season of the National Hockey League. ... In North American professional sports, particularly baseball, football, and basketball, a free agent is a team player whose contract with a team has expired, and the player is able to sign a contract with another team. ... The Atlanta Thrashers are a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia. ... The 2002-03 NHL season was the 86th regular season of the National Hockey League. ...

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. The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... This is the current WikiProject: Ice Hockey Article Improvement Drive collaboration! The Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup is the championship trophy of the National Hockey League (NHL), the major professional ice hockey league in Canada and the United States. ...

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.

Awards

• Bronze Medal at 1992 Winter Olympics (with Czechoslovakia)
• Gold Medal at 1998 Winter Olympics (with Czech Republic)

The 1992 Winter Olympics Ice hockey results in Albertville, France. ... The mens gold medal game: Russia vs Czech Republic 1998 was the first year that featured women in ice hockey competition. ...

Trivia

• 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.

The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City, New York, U.S.A.. Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the oldest teams in the National Hockey League, and are part of the group of teams referred... Lindy Cameron Ruff (Born: February 17, 1960 in Warburg, Alberta, Canada) is head coach of the Buffalo Sabres and former left winger in the National Hockey League. ...

External links

• Richard Smehlik @ hockeydb.com