Bob Smith (ice hockey) Bob Smith (ice hockey) Robert (Bob) Smith (born December 1, 1946) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player. Smith was selected 11th overall in the 1967 NHL Amateur Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, but did not make it to the NHL, playing five seasons in the minor leagues. Smith was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Smith was an 18-year-old playing in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds when he was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the 11th overall pick of the 1967 NHL Amateur draft. Although all 12 NHL teams were
Ice hockey in the United States Once that season was over, the National Hockey Association was changed into the NHL or the National Hockey League. Minor league professional hockey leagues in the U.S. include the American Hockey League and the ECHL. Additionally, nine U.S.-based teams compete in the three member leagues of the Canadian Hockey League. USA Hockey is the official governing body for amateur hockey in the U.S. The United States Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Eveleth, Minnesota. The United States ice hockey structure includes elements from traditional American scholastic high school and college athletics, affiliated and independent minor leagues, and the unique