The Cobourg Cougars have hired former NHL defenceman Derek Smith as the team’s new head coach.
Smith joins the Ontario Junior Hockey League club after spending the past eight seasons as head coach of the Trenton Golden Hawks and Wellington Dukes.
During his coaching career in the OJHL, Smith captured two Buckland Cup championships, earned Ontario Junior Hockey League Coach of the Year honours and won two silver medals as head coach of Team Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge.
Before moving behind the bench, Smith enjoyed a lengthy professional playing career. He played NCAA Division I hockey before advancing through the American Hockey League, ECHL, Switzerland’s National League and Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.
Smith also played in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames.
The Cougars announced the hiring on social media, welcoming Smith as the club begins a new era behind the bench.
