DJ Smith Commits to Three Year Contract Extension with Oshawa Generals

Press Release

The Oshawa Generals are pleased to announce that Head Coach DJ Smith and the hockey club have agreed to a three year contract extension. 

“The Oshawa Generals ownership is extremely pleased to lock up DJ for another 3 years, commented Oshawa Generals President and Governor Rocco Tullio.  “DJ has done an outstanding job of developing our players and teaching them to play the game the right way.  His hockey knowledge and tremendous work ethic, coupled with his ability to communicate with our players were the reasons we wanted to extend his contract.”

So far in his first season as Head Coach of the Oshawa Generals, Smith has led the team to a record of 42-22-1-3 and a first round playoff victory over the Niagara IceDogs.  The team also recorded a franchise record low 192 goals against.

“Getting DJ signed was an organizational priority,” said Oshawa Generals General Manager Jeff Twohey.  “He is one of the bright up and coming young coaches in the Ontario Hockey League.  We have developed a close working relationship and friendship over the past year and I look forward to continuing to work with DJ over the next three years.  He is a vital part of our organization moving forward.”

Smith joined the Generals in the summer of 2012.  Previously, he spent six seasons beginning in 2005 as Assistant and then Associate Coach to the Windsor Spitfires and was part of the team’s back-to-back Memorial Cup titles in 2009 and 2010.

A native of Windsor, Ontario, Smith played for the Spitfires for three seasons beginning in 1994 and was drafted by the New York Islanders, 41st overall, in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.

Smith played professionally in the National Hockey League and American Hockey League, spending time with the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) and St. John’s Maple Leafs (AHL) before moving to the Hershey Bears (AHL) and Colorado Avalanche (NHL).  He retired in 2004.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)