Babcock, 54, has an NHL record of 622-372-150 with 19 ties in 15 seasons as coach of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Detroit Red Wings and Maple Leafs. He coached the Red Wings to the 2008 Stanley Cup and they reached the Final in 2009. He's the only coach in the IIHF Triple Gold Club, having led Canada to Olympic gold medals in Vancouver in 2010 and in Sochi in 2014, and the World Championship in 2004. He coached Canada to the championship at the World Cup of Hockey 2016.
Smyth, 41, played 19 NHL seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. He retired after the 2013-14 season with 842 points (386 goals, 456 assists) in 1,270 games. He helped Canada win gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and played in the 2006 Torino Olympics, and in the World Championship eight times, winning gold in 2003 and 2004, and silver in 2005. Smyth also won gold at the World Cup of Hockey in 2004.
Goyette, 51, played for Canada at the Olympics three times, winning gold in 2002 and 2006, and won the gold medal eight times at the Women's World Championship; she had 219 points in 172 games with Canada's national women's team during a 15-season playing career. Currently the coach for the University of Calgary women's hockey team, she was enshrined in the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.
"As players and coaches, this group has led the way on and off the ice, teaching and inspiring Canadian players at all levels of the game," Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney said. "To be selected as a Distinguished Honoree of the Order of Hockey in Canada is one of the most prestigious accomplishments one can receive in hockey in Canada, and this year's honorees are well-deserving of the recognition. On behalf of my colleagues at Hockey Canada, the Order of Hockey in Canada selection committee, as well as our board members, I would like to congratulate Danielle, Mike, and Ryan, and we look forward to celebrating them in London on June 18."
The Order of Hockey in Canada was established in 2012 by Hockey Canada and has recognized 21 honorees including Jean Beliveau, Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Mark Messier, Mario Lemieux, Pat Quinn and Scotty Bowman.
