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Club 1974:
Cleveland Crusaders
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Paul Shmyr
# 18, Team CANADA 1974
Club: Cleveland Crusaders
Position: D Shoots:
Left
Height: 5-11 Weight: 175
Born: 1/28/1946 in Cudworth, Sask
Paul Shmyr was the product of the rugged Western Canadian Junior hockey system. Although not overly large, Paul was naturally very tough, and quickly developed the reputation as a player not to be trifled with. He joined the NHL Chicago Black Hawks on a full-time basis in 1969-70.
After a solid 1970-71 season Paul was traded to the California Golden Seals in the summer of 1971 where he added some badly needed defensive skill to the young Golden Seals defense in the 1971-72 season. In the summer of 1972 he received a large offer from the brand new WHA Cleveland Crusaders. When California owner Charlie O. Findlay refused to match the offer Paul was off to the new league. He quickly became one of the WHA's finest defenseman. In 1975-76 he was voted best defenseman in the WHA and was asked to try out for Team Canada 1976 which is considered by most to be the finest hockey team ever assembled by Canada. Paul was one of the last players cut from that squad. When the leagues merged in 1979 Paul joined the Minnesota North Stars who immediately made him their team captain. Paul's strong leadership and fine play was a strong factor in Minnesota's drive to the 1981 Stanley Cup finals.
In 1974 there were many "experts" who doubted that Paul Shmyr had the ability to play successfully against the Soviets. Paul proved them all wrong particularly in the first four games in Canada. Along with his defensive partner, Rick Smith, he did an outstanding job protecting goalie Gerry Cheevers from the lightning quick, swirling, Soviet attackers. He had less success in Moscow, as the brilliant Soviet forwards made strong use of the bigger International ice surface. That being said, Paul picked up assists in games 5, and 6 and continued to play solidly. By the time the series was over he had gained tremendous respect as a top-flight International caliber defenseman.
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Career Statistics
| Competitions |
GP |
G |
A |
PTS |
PIM |
| NHL Reg. Season |
343 |
13 |
72 |
85 |
528 |
| NHL Playoffs |
33 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
52 |
| WHA Reg. Season |
511 |
61 |
248 |
309 |
860 |
| WHA Playoffs |
43 |
5 |
18 |
23 |
107 |
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CAREER HIGHLIGTS:
- Played in the professional hockey leagues: 1968-82
- Pro hockey clubs:
NHL: Chicago, California, Minnesota, Hartford; WHA: Cleveland, San Diego, Edmonton
- WHA awards:
Dennis A. Murphy Trophy (Best Defenseman) 1976
WHA All Star (1st Team) 1973, 1974, 1976
WHA All Star (2nd Team) 1979
PERFORMANCE IN THE 1974 SUMMIT
Statistics
| GP |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
PIM |
| 7 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
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Scoring History| Game | Period | Time | Scoring | Notes | | Game 5 | 3 | 06:10 | Assist | PPG | | Game 6 | 1 | 03:56 | Assist | |
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Penalties History| Game | Period | Time | Description | | Game 1 | 2 | 02:38 | tripping | | Game 1 | 2 | 05:02 | crosschecking | | Game 4 | 2 | 04:08 | roughing |
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