D.J. Smith is a former professional ice hockey player and current head coach of the Ottawa Senators in the National Hockey League (NHL). Smith began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Windsor Spitfires in 1994. He played for the Spitfires for two seasons before being drafted by the New York Islanders in the fifth round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.
Smith played for several teams in the minor leagues before making his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1998. He played for the Maple Leafs for three seasons before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. Smith played for the Avalanche for one season before being traded to the New York Islanders in 2002. He played for the Islanders for two seasons before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.
Smith played for the Lightning for one season before retiring as a player in 2005. He then began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL. Smith helped lead the Spitfires to two Memorial Cup championships in 2009 and 2010.
In 2011, Smith was hired as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He served as an assistant coach for the Maple Leafs for four seasons before being hired as an assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators in 2015.
In 2019, Smith was hired as the head coach of the Ottawa Senators. He has since led the team through a rebuilding phase and has helped develop young players such as Brady Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot. Under Smith's leadership, the Senators have shown improvement and have become a competitive team in the NHL.
Throughout his career, Smith has been known for his work ethic and attention to detail. He has a reputation for being a strong communicator and for developing strong relationships with his players. Smith's coaching style emphasizes a strong defensive game and a commitment to team play.
Overall, D.J. Smith has had a successful career in hockey as both a player and a coach. He has helped lead teams to championships and has developed a reputation as a strong leader and communicator. As the head coach of the Ottawa Senators, Smith is poised to continue his success and help lead the team to future success.
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