Sid Smith, 78, Maple Leafs star

TORONTO -- Sid Smith, a former Toronto Maple Leafs captain and three-time Stanley Cup winner, died yesterday after a long illness. He was 78.

Mr. Smith played parts of 12 seasons in Toronto between 1946-58. He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most gentlemanly player in 1951-52 and again in 1954-55 when he was an all-star. He was captain of the Leafs in 1955-56.

"He was a great Leaf, great enough to be captain," Toronto coach Pat Quinn said. "He'll be sadly missed by the fraternity."

Mr. Smith was known for his speed and his ability to pick up loose pucks.

He was also durable, playing in more than 400 consecutive games.

In Game 2 of the 1949 Stanley Cup final, Mr. Smith scored all of Toronto's goals in a 3-1 win over Detroit.

In 601 NHL games, he scored 186 goals and assisted on 183. When he retired, only three active players had scored more goals: Gordie Howe, Maurice "Rocket" Richard, and Ted Lindsay.

After retiring, Mr. Smith became playing coach of the Whitby Dunlops senior team, leading them to the world championship in 1958.

Born in Toronto, Mr. Smith lived in Wasaga Beach, Ontario, at the time of his death.