Jean-Guy Gendron

Joseph Eudore Jean-Guy "Smitty" Gendron (August 30, 1934 – June 30, 2022) was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger. He played junior hockey with the Trois-Rivières Reds before making his professional debut with the Providence Reds in 1954. Gendron went on to play 863 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Philadelphia Flyers. He scored his first NHL goal on November 9, 1955, for the New York Rangers in a 1–1 home tie against the Montreal Canadiens. Generally called upon to play a hard-nosed, defensive-oriented role, Gendron recorded an NHL career high of 24 goals in 1959–60. He also played 127 games in the World Hockey Association for the Quebec Nordiques, a team he later served as head coach for two seasons. Gendron died on June 30, 2022, through medical assistance in dying.