In 2003, Derek Smith co-captained the Wellington Dukes to the RBC Junior “A” National championships. In 2019 he hopes to do it again, this time as their head coach.
Following a 10-year professional career which included time with the NHL’s Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators and 18 months as an assistant to John Druce, the 34-year-old Belleville native has come full circle as he takes over behind the Wellington bench.
As an assistant the Dukes won the OJHL championship in 2018 and advanced to the finals last year. Smith feels they are well positioned to contend again this year.
Smith says the Dukes will have strong leadership.
Having played four seasons with the Dukes and now in his third year on the coaching staff, Derek Smith says he’s back where he belongs.
The Dukes open the new OJHL season tomorrow night at LeHigh Arena when they host the Brampton Admirals at 7:30.
