Former Oilers Defenseman Will Coach The Oil Kings

Not breaking news involving our Edmonton Oilers, but still a pretty cool headline for nostalgia purposes. Jason Smith, who was part of the Oilers blueline from 1999/2000 to 2000/2008, and team captain during their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006, has signed on to be the head coach of the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings. Not one to put up big points, he instead brought grit and toughness.

The Oil Kings have missed the WHL Playoffs in two of the last four seasons and lost the Quarter Final this past season, but won the Ed Chynoweth Cup(WHL Championship) back in 2022. Smith has also coached the Kelowna Rockets from 2016/2017-2019/2020, had a short stint as an associate coach for the Prince George Cougars, served four seasons from 2021/2022-2024/2025 as an assistant for the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and had an NHL gig as an assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators from 2014/2015-2015/2016.

All the best to Jason Smith on his new gig.