Normie Smith - NHL Career

NHL Career

In 1934, Smith was signed by the Detroit Red Wings. There, Smith played one of the most remarkable games ever in NHL history. He shut-out the Montreal Maroons in the NHL's longest game, a 176-minute, 30-second affair, on the way to a Stanley Cup championship in 1935-36. His 92 saves in that same game are also a NHL record. Smith helped Detroit repeat as Stanley Cup Champions in 1936-37 and won the Vezina Trophy that same year. After suffering an arm injury, he slumped in 1937-38 and the Red Wings finished last. During a game in 1938-39, he didn't show up, causing a rift with coach Jack Adams. He was then traded to Boston, where there was no way he would beat out Frank Brimsek, and he was sent to the minors. Normie Smith retired rather than report to the minor leagues. He returned to play briefly with the Detroit Red Wings when World War II left a vacuum of players in the NHL.