Soo Thunderbirds head coach moves on

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League's Soo Thunderbirds are in the market for a new head coach.

Jordan Smith has taken a job as the new associate coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Sudbury Wolves.

The team announced the hiring on Wednesday afternoon.

"For the past  four season’s he’s been coaching the Soo Thunderbirds with great results and great success and I am excited he will be joining Darryl Moxam and myself on the coaching staff," Sudbury Coach Cory Stillman said in a prepared statement. "I believe his experience as a defenceman will strengthen our D-core. He is a good person who overcame a tough career ending injury and he has persevered. He is someone who I believe makes our entire team stronger moving forward.”

In a statement, Smith called the opportunity to join the Wolves an "honour."

“It is an exciting time for the players, staff and loyal fans of the Wolves, as we embark on a new era in Sudbury. I am thrilled to be a part of it and can’t wait to get going. This would not be possible without the support of my family, the Thunderbirds organization and my former players for the opportunity to begin my coaching career and for that I will be forever grateful.”

Former Greyhounds General Manager Kyle Dubas, currently an assistant general manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs, said in a statement released by the Wolves that Smith "is a tough, demanding and caring coach and person. The Sudbury Wolves players who play for him will have the opportunity to learn and develop immensely from his lessons both on and off the ice."

Smith spent four seasons from 2001 to 2005 as a defenceman in the OHL with the Soo Greyhounds. 

A second round draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks, Smith started his pro career with the American Hockey League's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, playing in five games at the end of the 2004-05 season. The following season, Smith played 55 games with the Portland Pirates before an eye injury cut short his professional career.

He also played five seasons of university hockey at Lakehead before beginning his coaching career in the 2012-13 season with the Superior League's Thunder Bay North Stars.