Hurricanes Name Steve Smith as Assistant Coach

The Carolina Hurricanes added another piece to their coaching staff with the announcement this afternoon that Steve Smith would be assistant coach.  Smith has been an assistant with the Edmonton Oilers for the past fours years.

Smith joins Bill Peters and Rod Brind'Amour behind the Carolina bench.

Before Edmonton, the former defenseman spent time in the Calgary and Chicago organizations.  The team's press release follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 24, 2014

HURRICANES ADD STEVE SMITH AS ASSISTANT COACH

Former NHL defenseman has five seasons of experience as NHL assistant

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with Steve Smith as assistant coach. Smith will join new head coach Bill Peters and assistant coach Rod Brind’Amour behind the Hurricanes’ bench.

"Steve had a solid career as a player and has gained valuable coaching experience with two teams, especially when it comes to working with young defensemen," said Francis.

Smith, 51, served as assistant coach for the Edmonton Oilers for the past four seasons. The Glasgow, Scotland, native had also spent one season as an assistant coach for the Calgary Flames in 1997-98, before returning to the ice as a player for the Flames for three more seasons. Smith also gained experience as a scout with the Chicago Blackhawks prior to joining the Oilers coaching staff.

Selected by the Oilers in the sixth round of the 1981 NHL Draft, Smith played 804 career regular-season NHL games and recorded 375 points (72g, 303a) and 2,139 penalty minutes as a defenseman with Edmonton, Chicago and Calgary. He was a part of three Stanley Cup championship teams with the Oilers, and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final twice more with the Blackhawks, totaling 52 points (11g, 41a) in 134 career playoff games. Smith had three 50-point seasons as a blueliner, including a career-high 57 points (10g, 47a) for Chicago in 1992-93.

Prior to turning professional, Smith played for London of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 1980-1983, totaling 20 goals, 83 assists (103 points) and 481 penalty minutes.

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