Early last week, I noted with extreme sadness the passing of Guy Smith, a
local veterinarian, and a prominent member of the 1968-72 UNH Wildcats.
 
Guy was a man who possessed a deep passion for whatever he set out to do,
whether it be learning to perfect his skating skills, how well he hit a
fastball, the intricacies of calculus, or maybe a few verses of a Gordon
Lightfoot tune to share with his dorm-mates. His spirit, soul, and heart
were always fully involved in the accomplishment of his goals both on and
off the ice. Now that heart, at 45 years of age, has stopped, and we who
loved him and his game must move on.
 
A son of the Iroquois Nation from southern Ontario, Guy used hard work
and perseverance to move up through the Ottawa schools, and to the ice
arenas and ball fields of his athletic successes. He became legendary
Coach Charlie Holt's first recruit to UNH in 1968. Once here, he helped
establish a program which had only very recently ascended into the lofty
heights of Division One play.
 
Guy's work ethic, strength, and fiery concentration earned him a
reputation as a man who would not back down when called upon to protect
his goalie or other teammates, back when physical play was much more
prevalent in college hockey. His record for penalty minutes in a career
was only recently exceeded. He combined this physical toughness with a
deft scoring touch, tallying well over 120 points in just three seasons
of varsity play.
 
After graduation, he pressed on into the then World Hockey Association to
play alongside the likes of Gordie Howe for the New England Whalers. He
later left hockey to turn his talents towards veterinary medicine. He
subsequently established his own practice, and became an in-demand
presence at many race tracks in the Northeast for his expertise on caring
for the horses.
 
Guy was a devoted husband and a loving father of two children who have
succeeded both in the classroom, and the athletic venue, as collegians.
As busy as he was with family, practice, and consultations, he also found
time to coach the local Oyster River High School hockey team. It was
enroute to one of his team's games at the new Whittemore Center, near his
beloved old Snively Arena, where he succumbed to his heart ailment.
 
I'll still remember him as he was on an early December evening in 1971,
as UNH and first-place Harvard clashed at Snively in front of a
hanging-from-everywhere roaring crowd. The game was up-and-down the ice;
physical, exciting and without a doubt one of the most exhilarating
college hockey games I ever witnessed. At one point in the hectic third
period, Guy even leaped up onto the dasher for a stride to avoid a check
as the 'Cats pressed hard for the equalizer. Later, less than half-way
through the overtime period, he emerged from a maelstrom of activity to
receive the puck to the left of the Harvard net, made a quick whirling
move, and slipped a backhander behind Crimson goalie Joe Bertagna for the
winner. The subsequent roar shook the roof, joists, concession stand, and
the foundation of Snively, and Guy was mobbed in triumph. That's the way
*I'll* always picture this man when I hear his name in the future.
 
"....And then to your next land do you go, and, once there, you will be
at last at peace."
 
 
Bob C. (The Corner Man of Old Snively, sharing in a little old-time
hero-worship..)
 
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Robert J. Constantine           |
Chemistry Library               |
University of New Hampshire     |
Parsons Hall                    |
Durham, NH   03824              |
Phone: (603) 862-1083           |
Fax: (603) 862-4112             |
E-mail: [log in to unmask]     |
#################################
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.