The new head coach of the Windsor Spitfires is no stranger to the team's bench.
The organization named Jerrod Smith as the new head coach Monday morning.
"It was an extensive search in the sense that a lot of people wanted and applied for this position, but at the end of the day, the right choice was right here in the building," said Bill Bowler, head of hockey operations. "Over the years, Jerrod has left his mark daily. It wasn't one thing Jerrod said after Marc's departure, it's something we witnessed and watched over time."
Smith will replace Marc Savard, who accepted a coaching position with the Calgary Flames in June.
Smith has been a member of the Windsor Spitfires coaching team since 2011.
"I'm just really am excited to get to work with this group, these people and this tremendous fan base, and I'm excited for the opportunity, and I can't wait to put a great product on the ice where everybody is going to be proud of the Windsor Spitfires," said Smith.
Smith started as the team's video coach and was promoted to assistant coach in 2013. In the 2018-2019 season, he was promoted again to the associate coach role.
The Spitfires will hold training camp near the end of August ahead of the 2023-24 season.
"I think we want to be a team that is ultra-competitive and in shape, detailed with our habits and our work. We are going to be prepared, we're going to be unselfish. We're going to be a team that plays for each other. I think we want to value the puck and be a little more committed on the 'D' side of it," said Smith.
