TIGERS HIRE RYAN SMITH AS ASSISTANT COACH

Medicine Hat, AB – The Medicine Hat Tigers are pleased to announce the hiring of Ryan Smith who will join the club as an assistant coach.

Smith, a 44-year-old Winnipeg, MB native, replaces Bobby Fox who was promoted to Director of Player Personnel.

After 11 seasons of playing professionally in Europe, Smith began coaching in 2008-09. He coached in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) for five seasons, winning the Coach of the Year award in 2013-14 as the Head Coach of the Selkirk Steelers.

“I am very excited and proud to be a Tiger and to join an organization that has been successful on and off the ice for years,” said Smith. “It is a great opportunity for me both personally and as a coach.”

Recently, Smith won the Ed Chynoweth Cup as the Associate Coach for the Swift Current Broncos. He coached with the Broncos for three seasons.

“We are thrilled to add Ryan to our coaching staff,” said Tigers Head Coach and General Manager Shaun Clouston. “Ryan brings with him a long and successful history of coaching Junior hockey, firsthand knowledge of the WHL and invaluable championship experience. We look forward to working together and would like to welcome Ryan and his family to the Tigers organization.”

Smith will be with the Tigers for Main Training Camp starting in late August. Details for the camp will be released closer to the date.