Canadian Sportscaster, Former Nhl Player, Shot In The Head

Brian Smith, a popular television sportscaster and former NHL player, was shot in the head with a rifle in broad daylight Tuesday while heading to the parking lot after his evening broadcast.

Smith, 54, underwent surgery at Ottawa Civic Hospital to control bleeding in his head. His wife and mother were with him.

CJOH news director Max Keeping said Smith, who played with Los Angeles and Minnesota in the late 1960s, had finished his broadcast and walked out the station’s main door.

“He hadn’t made it to the parking lot,” Keeping said.

Smith was 60 yards from his assailant when he was shot shortly after 7 p.m. EDT, said Insp. Murray Gordon of Ottawa-Carleton Region Police. He said two shots were fired.

“I saw a guy with a rifle in his hand

and he popped one off,” said a man who identified himself only as Dan. “He was real nonchalant.”

Police are looking for a Ford Crown Victoria, which was seen twice earlier in the day in the CJOH parking lot. Keeping said he was aware of no threats against Smith.