Four consecutive Stanley Cups and the most competitive goaltender in Islanders history.
William John Smith was born in Perth, Ontario in 1950. New York Islanders selected him in the 1972 expansion draft. He spent 17 seasons as the Islanders' primary goaltender — winning four consecutive Stanley Cup championships (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983). He won the Vezina Trophy as best goaltender in 1982 and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1983. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993. He was known as Battlin' Billy for his willingness to slash, hook and hack opponents who ventured near his crease — accumulating 489 career penalty minutes despite being a goaltender, an extraordinary total. He was the first goaltender officially credited with scoring a goal in NHL history, in 1979, when he was the last Islander to touch the puck before a Colorado player accidentally put it in his own net. His four championships alongside Trottier, Bossy and Potvin define the Islanders dynasty era.
Stanley Cup 4x (1980,1981,1982,1983)
Career Honours
- Stanley Cup 4x (1980,1981,1982,1983)
- Conn Smythe Trophy (1983)
- Vezina Trophy (1982)
- Hall of Fame (1993)