Nicknamed "Gator", sturdy defensive defenseman Jason Smith was born November 2, 1973 in Calgary, Alberta. Drafted 18th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 1992 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-3, 208-pound Smith was a tough, no-frills defender who lasted 1,008 regular season games in the NHL (41 goals, 128 assists, 169 points, 1,099 penalty minutes) and 68 playoff games (one goal, 10 assists, 11 points, 60 penalty minutes).
Always willing to sacrifice his body to block shots or defend teammates, Smith became part of the leadership group of multiple NHL teams. Before coming to Philadelphia, he played for the Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and, for seven-plus seasons, the Edmonton Oilers.
On July 1, 2007, the Flyers traded unhappy defenseman Joni Pitkanen to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Smith and winger Joffrey Lupul.
Installed as Flyers captain for the 2007-08, Smith played a role in the team's immediate turnaround from the worst season in franchise history to a spot in the 2008 Eastern Conference Final. Dressing in 77 games during the regular season, Smith averaged 18:46 of ice time, chipped in 10 points (one goal, nine assists) and 86 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, he played through separations in both shoulders to dress in 17 games.
Smith moved on after one season with the Flyers, finishing his NHL playing career with the Ottawa Senators in 2008-09. He later became a Senators' assistant coach, starting a coaching career that lasts to this day.
Smith got his first head coaching opportunity with the Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets in 2016, spending three years behind their bench. In 2020-21, he was an assistant coach for the Prince George Cougars. His recommendation of Cougars defenseman Ethan Samson, along with positive reviews by Flyers WHL-based scout Mark Greig, factored into Philadelphia selecting Samson in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
This summer, Smith accepted an invitation from new Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach Ian Laperriere to join his staff as an assistant coach. The Phantoms also hired former Maine Mariners head coach Riley Armstrong as an assistant.
Yesterday, Smith was the special guest of Jason Myretetus and myself for the Wednesday edition of the Flyers Daily Podcast on the Flyers' Broadcast Network. Topics included forging team identity, aligning AHL/NHL systems, player development, coaching draftee Samson last season and his memories of the Flyers' 2007-08 turnaround season. To listen to the podcast,
click here.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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