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Greg Smyth, former Flyers second-round selection, dies at 51

Greg Smyth, a former Flyers defenseman known for his physical play, died at age 51 on Friday, according to the team's alumni association.

A view of the XFinity Live! Philadelphia center and the Wells Fargo Center in the stadium complex October 3, 2017. Photographed from Citizens Bank Park.
A view of the XFinity Live! Philadelphia center and the Wells Fargo Center in the stadium complex October 3, 2017. Photographed from Citizens Bank Park.Read moreCLEM MURRAY / Staff Photographer
    by Sam Carchidi | Columnist
    Published 

Greg Smyth, a hard-nosed defenseman selected by the Flyers in the second round of the 1984 draft, died on Friday after a long battle with cancer, according to the team's alumni association. He was 51.

Nicknamed "Birddog," Mr. Smyth played in 49 games with the Flyers before being traded with a third-round pick to Quebec for defenseman Terry Carkner in 1988.

Mr. Smyth, chosen with the first pick of the second round (22nd overall), also played with Calgary, Florida, Toronto and Chicago. In addition, he played on several minor-league teams before retiring in 2000.

In 229 career games in the NHL, he had four goals, 16 assists, and a staggering 783 penalty minutes. He had a career-high 192 penalty minutes in 48 games with the Flyers in 1987-88.

Mr. Smyth coached senior hockey in Newfoundland after he retired.