With training camp weeks away, Jordan Smith says he’s eager to ‘hit the ground running’

With NHL training camps not far away, Sault Ste. Marie’s Jordan Smith is getting ready to step behind the bench at hockey’s highest level.

Smith, 40, was hired earlier this summer by the Vancouver Canucks as an assistant coach on the staff of new bench boss Manny Malhotra.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking. It was about a two-week process,” Smith said.

“We spoke about that possibility and then went through a couple calls with Manny. Having the familiarity with him the last two years, having won a championship with him, it was pretty easy-going conversations, but it didn’t take away from the nervousness and the anxiousness of trying to get something done.”

When it was finally done, it was a relief, and Smith was excited.

“Obviously, a lot of work has gone into it, a lot of sacrifice, from myself and people around me so it was a pretty special feeling to sign that line and get it done.”

That familiarity with Malhotra stems from the two being part of the coaching staff of the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks, Vancouver’s top farm team, for the past two seasons.

“For the coaches, having the familiarity with Manny is critical,” Smith said.

“It’s huge. I think it’s probably one of the main reasons or contributing factors to why I was hired. We’ve gone through those ups and downs of the season. We’ve seen kind of what works and what doesn’t, and we work really well together.”

Smith called Malhotra “really easy to work for.”

“He’s a super smart hockey guy. He cares about the players. He’s really easy to work with and we get along great,” Smith added, also saying that the familiarity will take on more importance with the coaching staff being finalized with training camp on the horizon.

“We want to hit the ground running in training camp and make sure we’re ready to go,” Smith said. “There’s not a lot of time before you play and then the season starts. I think that’s going to be huge for us. We know what each other looks for and almost what we’re thinking before you can even say it. It’s a good relationship and I’m excited to continue it.”

For Smith, being able to remain in the Canucks organization as he moves to the top level is a comforting feeling as well with a number of familiar faces around.

“It comes right from the top with Daniel and Henrik Sedin being the presidents. Having worked with them the last two years, they were development coaches in the organization. On the day-to-day, there were times throughout, a couple times a week, that they’d be in Abbotsford,” Smith said.

“I think that was a big relief for me is to just have those people around me that know me. They know what I can do and how I work and it’s just super exciting for everyone moving forward.”

Smith made the jump to pro hockey after four years in the Ontario Hockey League as an associate coach.

The 40-year-old joined the staff of the Sudbury Wolves prior to the 2017-18 season as an associate coach, working with then-Wolves head coach Cory Stillman.

Smith then joined the Greyhounds and spent three seasons as an associate coach on the staff of former Greyhounds coach John Dean.

After his final season in the Sault, Smith joined the staff of the Springfield Thunderbirds, serving as an assistant coach on the staff of another former Greyhounds coach in Drew Bannister.

“Working with Drew Bannister in Springfield, that really helped my development,” Smith said. “He’s a great coach.”

Smith added that his four seasons at the pro level have allowed him to learn on the go.

“You get other ideas, you learn, you share ideas, and I just tried to improve every year that I was coaching,” Smith said. “You’re given two ears and one mouth for a reason. Just listening, hearing, and being in the room with development staff that are watching the game from above.”

With four seasons at the pro level behind him, Smith also spoke on the difference between coaching pros and players at the junior level.

“A lot of times in pro, guys know they made a mistake when they come off the ice. They’re pretty aware. There are fewer mistakes in a game overall. There’s always mistakes, but there’s definitely less mistakes, so they stand out a little more,” Smith said.

“At the National League level, I’m sure it’ll be even greater, but how you approach those players when they make mistakes is pretty critical. You want to have a good relationship with guys, and that starts early on in training camp and getting to know the players and them knowing that you have their best interests in mind.”

Smith added that emotional swings at the junior level tend to be greater.

“They run higher, whereas I feel pro guys, they know how to handle those swings of a hockey game and just work through them,” Smith said.

“Having gone on our run to the finals (with Abbotsford), obviously we had a ton of up and downs and having navigated through that and learning how to get through that and ultimately get the job done was huge for development.”

Drafted by the then-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Smith’s pro career was shorted due to an eye injury he suffered while playing with the American Hockey League’s Portland Pirates in 2006.

After attending Lakehead University and playing hockey from 2006 to 2011, Smith began his coaching career in 2012 with the Thunder Bay Kings U16 team as an assistant coach.

Smith was hired by the Superior International Junior Hockey League’s Thunder Bay North Stars part way through the season to take over as their new head coach.

The Sault product finished the 2012-13 season with the North Stars before taking over as head coach of the Soo Thunderbirds in 2013. Smith spent four seasons with the Thunderbirds before moving on to the OHL.

Smith’s first training camp as a member of the Canucks coaching staff will open up on Sept. 17 when Vancouver takes to the ice in Penticton to get the season underway.

– With files from Leith Dunick and David Helwig