Smith and Wellwood form dynamic duo

By Josh Sweetland/OHL

They’ve come from similar circumstances, but their personalities couldn’t be more different.

Water bottle in hand, Oshawa Generals coach DJ Smith can often be found up on the top step of the bench in the heat of the game, living out every moment with the 20 players placed before him. Look 10 feet to his left and assistant Eric Wellwood stands with arms crossed, occasionally delivering a pat on the back, tap on the shoulder, or a well-timed piece of advice as players file on and off the ice.

Both prospective NHL players who had their careers cut short by injury, Smith and Wellwood have translated their on-ice passion into careers behind the bench, steering the Oshawa Generals to their 13th Roberston Cup title in franchise history this season.

The two Windsor area natives have forged a path together that dates back to the 2006-07 season, Wellwood’s rookie campaign with the Windsor Spitfires that featured Smith as an assistant coach to Bob Boughner. In the years that followed, the two would win back-to-back MasterCard Memorial Cup titles together in 2009 and 2010 with Spitfires teams that are among the greatest the OHL has ever seen.

Just a few years later, the two are back together at the MasterCard Memorial Cup on the brink of winning it all headed into Sunday’s final against the WHL Champion Kelowna Rockets.

“I’m a vocal guy and he’s about as calm as they come,” said Smith of his bench partner Wellwood. “You can’t have two of us doing the same thing all game or our bench would be all out of wack, so he compliments my style perfectly.”

Smith, who was a rough n’ tumble Windsor Spitfires defenceman in the mid-90’s, earned himself the reputation of being a tough customer. After five years as a fan favourite with the AHL’s St. John’s Maple Leafs, Smith would suit up in 34 games with the Colorado Avalanche in 2002-03 before an injury cut his career short at the age of 27.

Wellwood’s career saw a similar demise at the young age of 23 after he severed tendons in his right ankle in an American Hockey League game. Wellwood saw 31 games of NHL action with the Philadelphia Flyers before the injury forced him into retirement.

“There’s nothing like being in a big game as a player,” Smith added. “The next best thing is coaching. Eric is the same guy he was back when he played. He has a great passion for the game and he truly believes in what he is saying behind the bench. He can’t play now, but he coaches with that same passion.”

For Wellwood, who is just four years older than Generals overagers Josh Brown, Dakota Mermis and Chris Carlisle, he says the move to the bench required a period of adjustment.

“It was a big change, but one I’ve come to really enjoy,” said the younger brother of former Eddie Powers Trophy recipient Kyle Wellwood. “The guys are all great and we have a mutual respect for one another. Though I’m not a whole lot older than some of them, they know I’m a guy who reached the NHL and has done what they are trying to do.”

As for the competitiveness and intensity of Smith on the bench alongside him, Wellwood has come to admire his presence and knowledge of the game.

“DJ has tremendous coaching qualities, perhaps most of all being his consistency and enthusiasm that is renewed every time he comes to the rink,” said Wellwood. “He comes to win every single night, and he holds the players to that same expectation. You know when the coach shows up with a competitive attitude for every game, the players are often going to follow him in those footsteps. The result is a consistent team that doesn’t take a night off very often.”

With past experience playing under Smith in Windsor, Wellwood says the ability to break down the barriers of communication also serves as a feather in his cap.

“As someone who has played for him, I always know what he’s trying to say,” he said. “Sometimes it takes a little bit of explaining if something gets said in the heat of the game, and that’s what I’m here for.”

As for Sunday’s MasterCard Memorial Cup final, Wellwood is drawing from his experience in 2009 and 2010 to help the players keep things in perspective.

“It’s just another hockey game. It’s on a big stage and the stakes are high, but at the end of the day, we just need to go out and play like we have all year. It’s another game.”

The old Windsor connection of Smith and Wellwood go for their third MasterCard Memorial Cup title together when the puck drops at 7:00pm. The 3-0 Generals take on the Kelowna Rockets on Sportsnet Ontario, East, West and Pacific.