IN BRIEF : Billy Smith to Retire as N.Y. Goalie

Billy Smith, whose goaltending helped the New York Islanders to four straight NHL titles, announced today that he is retiring as an active player to become the team’s goaltending coach.

Smith, 38, the league’s oldest player last season, was an original Islander, having been selected from the Los Angeles Kings when the team was formed in the 1972 expansion draft.

He had a career record of 305 wins, 233 losses and 105 ties and a goals-against average of 3.17. His victory total ranks eighth on the NHL’s all-time list.

On Nov. 28, 1979, Smith became the first NHL goalie to be credited with scoring a goal when he was the last Islanders’ player to touch the puck before a Colorado player put it into an empty net.

Smith was known for his tough play around the net, amassing 484 penalty minutes in 17 seasons.

“I thought Bill did a real fine job with our young goaltenders last season, and we look forward to working with him in the future,” General Manager Bill Torrey said.