(Twitter/@Milshockey)

By Mat Barrett

Coach Smith

Smith grateful for time in northeast Sask., ‘pumped’ for next step in coaching career

May 20, 2021 | 5:06 PM

Former Trojans assistant coach Daven Smith is off to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).

On Wednesday, May 19, it was announced that Smith would become the newest assistant coach with the Melville Millionaires.

“I’m pumped,” Smith told northeastNOW. “It’s a big opportunity for myself, and I’m looking forward to everything that’s ahead for myself and the Millionaires organization and our staff there.”

Smith said when he began his coaching journey just a few years ago, he didn’t expect to get to this point this fast. After being hired on with the Millionaires as a scout prior to the 2020/2021 season, Smith continued working with the team in a few different capacities. The conversation began regarding a coaching position, and eventually it became reality.

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“I kind of had an idea in my head of what I was hoping was going to happen,” Smith said. “But I wasn’t too sure, this is certainly quicker than I assumed, and I’m feeling up to the challenge.”

As for his role with the team, Smith said it’s going to be pretty broad, and he’s going to be doing a number of things with the Millionaires, something he said is great for someone looking to continue climbing up the coaching ladder.

“I’m trying to get my feet wet in the coaching world,” he said. “So the more things that I’m doing, and the more things that I’m involved in, that’s better for myself, so I’m looking forward to that big time.”

Smith joined the Tisdale Trojans prior to the 2019/2020 hockey season and was working under head coach Dennis Kubat. It wasn’t Smith’s first taste of Tisdale though as the 23-year-old spent two years playing U18 AAA hockey with the Trojans between 2014 and 2016, playing in a total of 109 regular season and playoff games with the club.

Smith said he’s very grateful for his time in Tisdale.

“There’s not much more you can ask for from a town and a program,” he said. “Big thanks to absolutely everybody here in Tisdale that made my time here in Tisdale special. It’s been awesome.”

Smith (background right) celebrates with Trojans head coach Dennis Kubat after an overtime win in the 2020 playoffs. (Submitted Photo/Daven Smith)

While most online searches would tell someone that Smith is from Warman, his connection to the northeast part of Saskatchewan might be just as important. He grew up in Hudson Bay before moving back to Warman for a few years before coming to Tisdale for his playing career. Smith said he’s a northeast boy through and through and it most certainly feels like a second home.

Smith also spent two seasons with the Nipawin Hawks between 2016 and 2018, winning an SJHL title in 2018. He played a total of 125 games with the Hawks.

While he takes his next step in coaching with Melville, Smith said he wants to keep climbing up the coaching ranks and see what the next opportunity brings.

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mat.barrett@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @matbarrett6