DJ SMITH NAMED ASSISTANT COACH OF THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
The Oshawa Generals announced today that Generals head coach, DJ Smith, has been named the assistant coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
DJ joined the Generals in June 2012 after spending six seasons as the assistant coach of the Windsor Spitfires, two of which were CHL Championship years. He added a third Memorial Cup to his coaching resume following the Generals’ Championship win in Quebec last month.
“The Oshawa Generals are very excited for DJ to take this next step in his coaching career,” says Oshawa Generals Governor and Owner, Rocco Tullio. “We have a great history of hiring great coaching talent and this league is all about developing players and coaches into individuals that will exceed at the next level. DJ was a crucial factor in bringing the fifth Memorial Cup to the city of Oshawa. We wish DJ and his family nothing but the best in his future endeavours.”
After winning Coach of the Year with the Generals in 2013-14, DJ led Oshawa to set franchise records in the 2014-15 season. The team set a franchise high record with the most points in a regular season with 108, and set the record for the most wins in a single season with 51 in their 78 year history. Known for his defensive strategies, DJ’s Generals led the league with the fewest goals-against with 157 in 68 games, while still finishing third in the league for goals for with 292.
“I would like to thank Rocco Tullio and the entire Oshawa Generals organization as well as our great fans for supporting myself and my family over the past three seasons,” says D.J. Smith. “I am excited to begin a new chapter with the Maple Leafs and work alongside Mike Babcock, Jim Hiller and Andrew Brewer.”
As a Windsor native, DJ spent three seasons playing for the Spitfires before moving up to the AHL and NHL. He spent most of his playing career with the St. John’s Maple Leafs, but played a total of 11 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and 34 for the Colorado Avalanche.
We thank DJ for his time here with the Oshawa Generals, and wish him all the best in his new position.
