Former Maple Leafs Warrior Quietly Climbing the Hockey Ranks in a Whole New Role
Photo credit: HockeyPatrol
Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jason Smith has officially taken on a major new role behind the bench - this time, as a head coach.
Jason Smith, a physical defenseman who spent three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, has been named the Head Coach of the WHL Edmonton Oil Kings.
Smith, 51, spent 15 seasons in the NHL with five teams including the Leafs, as well as the New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, & the Ottawa Senators.
Smith spent eight seasons with the Edmonton Oilers after a deal from the Leafs in 1999, having two years earlier been dealt to Toronto in the deal that sent Doug Gilmour to New Jersey in the end of an era.
A veteran of over 1000 games, Smith transitioned to an off-ice role after retiring in 2009, Smith has spent over a decade in a coaching role in various capacities and responsibilities.
From the Leafs' Blue Line to the Bench, Smith's Journey Continues
Jason Smith was named the Head Coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, the sixth coach in team history.
Edmonton Oil Kings President and General Manager Kirt Hill expressed excitement at the hiring of Smith, calling him an experienced coach with a strong resume:
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 has experience in the WHL as a head coach for the Kelowna Rockets and an assistant for the Prince George Cougars. Smith had also been an assistant prior with the Ottawa Senators.
In Edmonton, Smith will be head coach for Leafs prospect center Miroslav Holinka, with the 2024 5th rounder to be a veteran on the Oil Kings roster.
The Trade Leafs Fans Still Regret, And Edmonton Cashed In On
In the NHL, Jason Smith was remembered for his time with the Edmonton Oilers, and it was a poor trade by the Toronto Maple Leafs that got him there.
After acquiring him in a deal for an aging Gilmour, the Leafs traded Smith to Edmonton in a deal to acquire two draft picks. The two players they used those picks on, Jonathan Zion and Kris Vernarsky, never played for Toronto and did little as pros.
Meanwhile, Smith would go on to become a rock on the Oilers blueline as a defensive defenseman, the type of player the Leafs often lacked in the early 2000's, a role that could have been filled by Smith had they not dealt him.
While acquiring a 2nd and 4th for a defensive defenseman is good value, at least in today's NHL it'd be a win, ultimately it didn't work out on Toronto's end.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 31 | 1284 ANSWERS Former Maple Leafs Warrior Quietly Climbing the Hockey Ranks in a Whole New Role Do you remember Jason Smith as a Toronto Maple Leaf? | ||
| Yes | 607 | 47.3 % |
| No | 677 | 52.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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