Former Windsor Spitfires captain and coach D.J. Smith was named associate coach of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, reuniting with head coach Mike Babcock. The 49-year-old Smith joins Babcock's staff after serving as interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings last season.
Smith's Recent Tenure with the Kings
Smith was most recently with the Los Angeles Kings and assumed the role of interim head coach in March when Jim Hiller was fired. Hiller was hired last week as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Smith guided the Kings to an 11-6-6 mark to close out the season and clinch a Western Conference playoff spot.
Reuniting with Babcock in Edmonton
The Oilers named Babcock as head coach on Tuesday, and Smith will serve as associate coach under him. Smith previously worked with Babcock as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019. After four seasons with the Leafs, Smith left to become head coach of the Ottawa Senators in 2019.
Smith's Coaching Career
Smith began his NHL coaching career with the Maple Leafs in 2015 under Babcock, where Hiller was also an assistant coach. After four seasons, Smith left the club to become head coach of the Ottawa Senators in 2019. The Senators went 131-154-32 in 317 games under Smith over parts of five seasons. His 131 wins rank second on Ottawa's all-time wins list for a head coach.
Before his NHL coaching career, Smith guided the Oshawa Generals to the Memorial Cup. He returned home to Windsor and began his coaching career with the Spitfires, helping the team win back-to-back Memorial Cup titles in 2009 and 2010 on a staff with Bob Boughner and Bob Jones before moving on to become head coach of Oshawa in 2012.
Playing Career
Smith played defence for the Spitfires from 1994-97 and was a second-round pick by the NHL's New York Islanders in 1995. He appeared in 45 NHL games over parts of three seasons with the Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche before concussion issues forced him to retire in 2005.
