Bobby Schmautz: The Most Hated and Feared of the Big Bad Boston Bruins?

In the words of Dave "Tiger" Williams, "The Boston Bruins had plenty of tough guys, but the difference with Schmautz is that he'd carve your eye out."

In the 1970s, the “Big Bad Bruins” and “Lunchpail Bruins” boasted some of hockey’s toughest players like John Wensink, Terry O’Reilly and Stan Jonathan. But the most feared Bruin of all may have been a 5-foot-9, 155- pound hard shooting right winger winger named Bobby Schmautz.

Let’s take a look back at the great career of the man they called Schmautzie!

Bobby Schmautz’s road to NHL stardom began in Saskatoon, where he was one of three hockey playing brothers alongside Cliff Schamutz (who played briefly in the NHL) and Arnie Schmautz (a star in the Western League).

After three years in the Western League -- mostly with the Los Angeles Blades.

Schmautz joined the Dallas Blackhawks of the Central Pro League and soon after progressed to the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks. After two seasons there, it was back to the minors for Schmautz and a dizzying odyssey of transactions would follow.

Schmautz became a big player for the Canucks in 1972-73 scoring 38 times while also finishing with 71 points and 137 penalty minutes. He represented the Canucks at the 1973 NHL All Star Game.

Schmautz was enjoying another All Star campaign in 1973-74 with 26 goals in his first 49 games. However, in February he was dealt to the Bruins for the rights to centre Mike (Shaky) Walton, winger Fred O’Donnell and center Chris Oddleifson. Interestingly, Canucks GM previously backed out of a deal that would have sent Richie Leduc and Dave Forbes to Vancouver along with Oddleifson. As it turned out, O’Donnell never reported to Vancouver and eventually signed with the WHA New England Whalers.

Schmautz was a perfect fit for the The Bruins, who were seeking RW to play along side John Bucyk and Gregg Sheppard. GM Harry Sinden also looked at looked at Schmautz as a replacement for feisty RW Johnny McKenzie, who jumped to the WHA the previous season.

Schmautz would spend seven seasons in Boston, stringing together five straight campaigns of 20 goals or more, playing mostly for head coach Don Cherry. He made it to the final three times and is best remembered for scoring 11 goals in 14 games in the 1977 playoffs and a year later scoring in overtime against Montreal’s Ken Dryden in game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals to tie the series at 2-2.

Schmautz started the 1979-80 season with Boston but fell out of favor with new coach Fred Creighton and Harry Sinden and was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for future considerations in December. Two months later, was reunited with coach Don Cherry via a trade to the Colorado Rockies.
The following October he rejoined the Vancouver Canucks and, at the age of 35, was second on the team with 27 goals and collected 137 penalty minutes.

He was not re-signed by the Canucks, who were in a youth movement and he was not signed by any other team.
His career was over.

Any discussion of Bobby Schmautz needs to include his penchant agitating opponents.

Examples include aiming his first shot of a game directly at a goalies head and for using his stick as a weapon to fend off bigger foes. In fact, Schmautz was the inspiration for Paul D’amaotos “Dr. Hook” character in the movie “Slapshot.”

It’s no surprise that the wild-eyed Schmautz was despised by opponents.
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Don Cherry, recalls Schmautz this way:

He was one of those players you just didn't fool with. In training camp, I would tell all the rookies, "If you want to challenge O'Reilly, Jonathan or Wensink, be my guest. But see that little guy over there, just leave him alone."

Then Quebec Nordiques goon Paul Stewart doesn't mince words when recalling Schmautz:

… no one was more ruthless than Schmautz when it came to intentionally inflicting injury … I nearly lost my eye to a deliberate high stick from him one night. I was far from his only victim … He could not have cared less for other players’ safety, nor did he feel an ounce of regret after injuring someone. It wasn’t a heat of the moment thing. It was calculated.”
Schmautz and Stewart engaged in wild stick fight outside the locker rooms in Colorado.

The Boston Herald described Schmautz as a “wiry, long-haired, crooked-nosed hyper-kinetic forward known for his high wrist shot that goalies hated, stick work that earned him the moniker “Dr. Hook” and a maniacal glare that would have scared the devil.”

Loved by teammates, hated by foes, Bobby Schmautz averaged 28 goals per season in his NHL career and played in two NHL All Star games. Those who played along side Schmautz remember him as being tough, talented, feisty -- and a great teammate.

Produced by Mark Willand www.prohockeyalumni.org

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