Jason Smith Returns to Edmonton as Oil Kings Head Coach
So here’s something exciting for hockey fans in Edmonton—Jason Smith, the former captain of the Edmonton Oilers, has just been named the new head coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings. This marks a big return for Smith to the city where he made a huge impact as a player, and now he’s stepping behind the bench to guide a new generation of talent in the WHL.
Now, if you’re not familiar, Jason Smith played in the NHL for 15 seasons, suiting up for over a thousand games with teams like the Oilers, Flyers, Senators, Devils, and Maple Leafs. But he’s probably best remembered in Edmonton, where he captained the Oilers from 2001 to 2007 and helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Final in 2006. He wasn’t flashy, but he was a classic, hard-nosed defenceman—tough, reliable, and a real leader on and off the ice.
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Coaching isn’t new to Smith either. He’s worked at pretty much every level—from the NHL down to junior. Most recently, he was an assistant coach with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. Before that, he had a solid run as head coach of the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL, where he made the playoffs twice and took the team to the Western Conference Final in 2017. He’s also had coaching stints with the Ottawa Senators and Prince George Cougars, so he’s bringing a ton of experience to this new role.
The Oil Kings’ front office couldn’t be happier. Their President and GM, Kirt Hill, described Smith as a “proven leader” and said his background as both a player and coach will make him a strong fit culturally with the team. The staff around him is also solid—Kyle Chipchura and Devan Praught are returning as assistant coaches, and others like Adam Filmon and Ladislav Smid round out the support team.
Smith himself seems genuinely excited to be back in Edmonton. He called the Oil Kings one of the elite organizations in the CHL and said he’s eager to return to the city that once felt like home. It’s clear he’s not just coming in to fill a spot—he’s here to make an impact.
So, this is definitely a full-circle moment for Jason Smith. Once a captain on the ice for Edmonton, now a mentor and coach behind the bench. It’ll be interesting to watch how his leadership helps shape the next wave of hockey talent in Oil Country.
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