(Submitted Photo/Daven Smith)

By Mat Barrett

Smith the Scout

Trojans Assistant Coach to scout in SJHL

May 22, 2020 | 3:00 PM

Daven Smith is adding another title to his hockey resume.

On Thursday the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) announced a restructured scouting staff, and Smith was on it.

The Tisdale Trojans assistant coach will be the northern provincial scout for the Millionaires this coming season. Melville recently hired Mike Rooney as their new head coach and general manager and Smith has some close connections to the Rooney family. Smith and Rooney’s son played hockey together and actually billeted together in their U18 AAA days with the Trojans in 2014/2015.

Smith said he got a call from Rooney who had asked if he’d be interested in scouting. Once Rooney officially got the job in Melville, it became official.

“When an opportunity presents itself for a young guy like me, can’t really say no,” Smith told northeastNOW. “So I’m looking forward to it.”

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Smith (background left) celebrates with Trojans Head Coach Dennis Kubat after an overtime win in the 2020 playoffs. (Submitted Photo/Daven Smith)

Smith has only completed one full year of coaching at the U18 AAA level but said he wants to keep doing more in hockey.

“I want to climb up this hockey ladder as high as I possibly can,” he said. “So, kind of the best thing I can do for myself is take opportunities when they arise and make new contacts.”

Smith will still be coaching the Trojans this coming season, but he said managing his schedule will be important. The 22-year-old was already scouting for the Trojans, but now he’ll be relaying more information to the Millionaires front office staff. Smith said he’s going to be focusing on the U18 and U15 teams in the area and finding players there.

He said already being able to see U18 players on a nightly basis will help.

Trojans defenceman Nicholas Andrusiak is already on the Millionaires radar as he was the SJHL’s second overall pick by Melville in the 2019 Bantam Draft.

When asked if things are changing in scouting amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith said it has changed, but there are ways around it.

“As long as you do your homework,” Smith said. “You can really dig into a players background to find stuff out about him if you need to. Obviously there’s not anything going on right now but if you need that info, you can get it.”

Smith said he’s excited to be able to spend more time at the rink and watch more hockey.

“You can do it for fun, that’s the best part, you’re a part of the crowd, you’re being a fan,” he said. “But then obviously you’ve got to take some homework with you, and I’m looking forward to that, just another reason to watch more hockey.”

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6