Steve Smith Returning To Flames

Defenseman Steve Smith scored one of the most memorable goals in Stanley Cup playoff history for the Calgary Flames as a member of the Edmonton Oilers. Now he has come out of retirement and will play for the Flames.

Smith played 13 seasons in the NHL from 1984 to 1997 with the Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks and was a member of three Stanley Cup-winning teams in Edmonton.

But he is probably best known for inadvertently putting the puck into his own net in the third period of Game Seven of the 1986 Smythe Division finals, giving the Flames a 3-2 victory over the Oilers. Smith attempted to fire a pass out of his zone from behind the Edmonton net, but the puck hit the back of goaltender Grant Fuhr's pad and squirted into the net to give Calgary the lead.

Despite the mistake that cost the Oilers a chance at winning their third straight Stanley Cup, Edmonton general manager Glen Sather opted not to trade Smith despite the public outcry in Edmonton. He remained a stalwart in the six-man defensive rotation on the Cup-winning teams in 1987, 1988 and 1990.

Smith had 71 goals and 283 assists along with 2,000 penalty minutes in 702 career NHL games. He was also a member of the 1991 Canadian team that captured the Canada Cup title.

© 1998 SportsLine USA, Inc. All rights reserved