Ex-Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman Earns Major Job with Junior Hockey Team
Photo credit: Maple Leafs Daily
Jason Smith was a defenseman who played over 1000 games in the NHL, including two and a half seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, he is a head coach.
Fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs with a penchant for the late 90s and early 2000s might remember a player like Jason Smith.
He was a defenseman who started his career with the New Jersey Devils, and eventually found himself playing for teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, and even the Ottawa Senators.
These days, he works as a coach and was most recently the assistant with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Today, however, he received the biggest promotion of his career.
Jason Smith hired by the Edmonton Oil Kings
According to the Edmonton Oil Kings, Smith is the new head coach, and the sixth in their history.
As you can imagine, the franchise is very excited about the hire.
«The Edmonton Oil Kings organization is very excited to announce the hiring of Jason Smith as our new head coach,» Oil Kings President and General Manager Kirt Hill explained. «Jason is a proven leader and will be a great cultural fit for our staff and players. He brings a wealth of knowledge as not only a coach but through his years of playing experience and we're excited for this next chapter of Oil Kings hockey. We couldn't be more excited to welcome Jason, Wendy, and his family to Edmonton.»
Smith himself is excited, and we can understand why this is the case.
«I am extremely excited to join one of the elite organizations in the CHL,» Smith said. «Edmonton has been home to me before as a player and I can't wait to get back and be a part of the city again.»
This is a very cool opportunity, and you love to see guys like this find success and thrive.
We wish Jason Smith the best of luck going forward.
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