Denis Joseph Smith^[1] (born May 13, 1977) is a Canadian former professionalice hockeydefenceman and current assistant coach of theLos Angeles Kings of theNational Hockey League (NHL). He previously served as head coach of theOttawa Senators for five seasons from 2019 to 2023. As a player, Smith played 45 NHL games with both theToronto Maple Leafs andColorado Avalanche. As a coach, Smith won theMemorial Cup in 2015 and spent four years as an assistant with the Maple Leafs before joining Ottawa.

As a youth, Smith played in the 1991Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with aminor ice hockey team fromWindsor, Ontario.^[2]

Smith was drafted by theWindsor Spitfires of theOntario Hockey League (OHL) in the second round, 20th overall, in the 1994 OHL Draft Priority. Smith appeared in 61 games with the Spitfires during his rookie season in1994–95, scoring four goals and 17 points, while accumulating 201 penalty minutes, the second most on the club. In 10 playoff games, Smith scored a goal and four points, as the Spitfires defeated theSarnia Sting in the first round of the playoffs, before falling to theSudbury Wolves in the OHL quarter-finals.^{[citation needed]}

Smith saw a big increase in his offensive production during his second season with the Spitfires in1995–96. In 64 games, Smith scored 14 goals and 59 points, tying him for fourth in team scoring. Smith led the team with 260 penalty minutes. In seven playoff games, Smith scored one goal and eight points, as the Spitfires lost to theDetroit Whalers in the first round of the post-season.^{[citation needed]}

The Spitfires named Smith thecaptain of the team for the1996–97. In 63 games, Smith led the defence in scoring, as he had 15 goals and 67 points, as he finished fifth in overall team scoring. In the post-season, Smith scored a goal and eight points in five games, as Windsor lost to theSarnia Sting in the first round of the OHL playoffs.^{[citation needed]}

Smith was drafted by theNew York Islanders of theNational Hockey League in the second round, 41st overall, at the1995 NHL Entry Draft. Smith's stay with the Islanders did not last long, as on March 15, 1996, Smith was traded to theToronto Maple Leafs in a trade that includedWendel Clark andMathieu Schneider going to Toronto, while the Islanders receivedDarby Hendrickson,Sean Haggerty,Kenny Jonsson, and Toronto's first-round draft pick in the1997 NHL Entry Draft, in which the Islanders would selectRoberto Luongo.^{[citation needed]}

Smith appeared in one game with theSt. John's Maple Leafs, Toronto'sAmerican Hockey League affiliate, following the conclusion to Smith's junior hockey season with theWindsor Spitfires. Smith had no points in his lone appearance during the1995–96 season.^{[citation needed]}

Smith joined theToronto Maple Leafs after his junior season in Windsor in1996–97. On March 26, 1997, Smith played in his first NHL game, earning an assist on a goal scored byBrandon Convery, as the Maple Leafs defeated theSan Jose Sharks 2–1. On March 29, Smith had his first career NHL fight, againstRene Corbet of theColorado Avalanche. Overall, in eight games with Toronto, Smith had one assist and seven penalty minutes. Following the Leafs season, Smith was assigned to theSt. John's Maple Leafs, wherein in one post-season game, he had no points.^{[citation needed]}

Smith was assigned to St. John's for the1997–98 season. In 65 games with St. John's, Smith scored four goals and 15 points, while earning 237 penalty minutes, ranking him third on the team. In four post-season games, Smith had no points, as the Maple Leafs lost to theSaint John Flames in the Atlantic Division semi-finals.^{[citation needed]}

In1998–99, Smith saw his offensive production increase in St. John's, as he scored seven goals and 35 points in 79 games, as he was the highest-scoring defenceman on the team. Smith's 216 penalty minutes ranked second on the club. In the post-season, Smith earned an assist in five games, as St. John's lost to theFredericton Canadiens in the Atlantic Division semi-finals.^{[citation needed]}

Smith returned to St. John's for the1999–2000 season, as in 74 games, he scored six goals and 28 points while ranking second on the team with 197 penalty minutes. As St. John's failed to qualify for the post-season, Smith earned a promotion to Toronto late in the1999–2000 NHL season. In three games with Toronto, Smith had no points in three games.^{[citation needed]}

Smith spent the entire2000–01 season with St. John's. Injuries limited Smith to 59 games, where he scored seven goals and 19 points. In the post-season, Smith had no points in four games, as St. John's lost to theQuebec Citadelles in the Canadian Division semi-finals.^{[citation needed]}

In2001–02, Smith began the season with St. John's. In 59 games with the Maple Leafs in the AHL, Smith scored six goals and 16 points.^{[citation needed]}

On March 1, 2002, Smith was traded to theColorado Avalanche in a three-way trade that sawMarc Moro traded to theToronto Maple Leafs, and a ninth-round draft pick acquired by theNashville Predators.^{[citation needed]}

Smith joined theHershey Bears, theAmerican Hockey League affiliate of theColorado Avalanche, for the rest of the2001–02, following his trade by theToronto Maple Leafs. In 14 games with the Bears, Smith earned three assists. In the post-season, Smith appeared in eight games, scoring one goal, his first career AHL playoff goal, as the Bears defeated theNorfolk Admirals in the Western Conference quarter-finals, before losing to theHouston Aeros in the Western Conference semi-finals.^{[citation needed]}

Smith spent the majority of the2002–03 season with theColorado Avalanche. On October 17, 2002, Smith played in his first game with the Avalanche, as he had no points, and a fight withIan Laperrière, in a 4–1 win over theLos Angeles Kings. On January 23, 2003, Smith scored his first career NHL goal, as he scored againstMarc Denis of theColumbus Blue Jackets in a 5–0 victory. This point was Smith's first in the NHL since March 26, 1997. Overall, in 34 games with Colorado, Smith scored one goal and accumulated 55 penalty minutes. In the AHL, Smith played in two games with theHershey Bears, earning no points.^{[citation needed]}

Smith was re-assigned to theHershey Bears for the2003–04 season. In 35 games with Hershey, Smith scored seven goals and 14 points. On January 14, 2004, Smith suffered a knee injury in a game against theNorfolk Admirals, causing Smith to miss the remainder of the season. Smith announced his retirement as a player on June 14, 2005.^[3]

Smith joined theWindsor Spitfires as an assistant coach, working under newly hired head coachMoe Mantha.^[3] In2005–06, the Spitfires finished the season with a 32–26–7 record, earning 71 points and seventh place in the Western Conference. In the post-season, Windsor lost in the Western Conference quarter-finals to thePlymouth Whalers.^{[citation needed]}

In2006–07, the Spitfires replaced Mantha withBob Boughner as the new head coach, as Smith remained with the club as an assistant. The rebuilding Spitfires struggled to a record of 18–43–7, earning 43 points and ninth place in the Western Conference, as the club failed to reach the post-season.^{[citation needed]}

The Spitfires rebounded in2007–08 season, as the club finished with a 41–15–12 record, earning 94 points, which represented a 51-point improvement from the previous season, as the club finished in third place in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, Windsor was upset by theSarnia Sting in the Western Conference quarter-finals.^{[citation needed]}

Windsor continued to improve during the2008–09 season, as the Spitfires finished with a 57–10–1 record, earning 115 points and winning theHamilton Spectator Trophy as the top regular season team in the OHL. In the post-season, the Spitfires swept theOwen Sound Attack in the Western Conference quarter-finals. In the Western Conference semi-finals, Windsor defeated thePlymouth Whalers in six games. In the Western Conference finals against the second placeLondon Knights, Windsor easily defeated them in five games, advancing to the OHL finals. In the final round, the Spitfires defeated theBrampton Battalion in five games, winning theJ. Ross Robertson Cup and advancing to the2009 Memorial Cup. At the Memorial Cup, Windsor defeated theKelowna Rockets in the final game to win theMemorial Cup.^{[citation needed]}

The Spitfires remained a top club in the OHL during the2009–10, as the club earned a record of 50–12–6, earning 106 points, and first place in the Western Conference. In the post-season, Windsor swept theErie Otters in the Western Conference quarter-finals, followed by a second consecutive sweep in the Western Conference semi-finals, as Windsor defeated thePlymouth Whalers. In the Western Conference finals, the Spitfires lost their first three games to theKitchener Rangers before winning four in a row to win the series and advance to theJ. Ross Robertson Cup for the second consecutive season. In the OHL finals, Windsor swept the top-rankedBarrie Colts in four games to win the OHL Championship and advance to the2010 Memorial Cup. At the tournament, Windsor put up a perfect record of 4–0, including a 9–1 win over theBrandon Wheat Kings in the final game, to clinch their second consecutive Memorial Cup championship.^{[citation needed]}

In2010–11, Smith was promoted to become an associate coach of the Spitfires, as head coachBob Boughner left the club andBob Jones took over head coaching duties. Windsor remained a good team during the season, earning a solid 39–23–6 record, earning 84 points, and fourth place in the Western Conference. In the post-season, the Spitfires defeated theErie Otters in seven games in the Western Conference quarter-finals. In the Western Conference semi-finals, the Spitfires upset theSaginaw Spirit, as the club reached the Western Conference finals for the third consecutive season. In the conference finals against theOwen Sound Attack, the Spitfires lost in five games.^{[citation needed]}

Bob Boughner returned to the Spitfires in2011–12 as head coach, as Smith remained with the club as an assistant. Windsor began to rebuild during this season, as the club struggled to a 29–32–7 record, earning 65 points, and eighth place in the Western Conference. In the post-season, the Spitfires were swept by theLondon Knights in four games in the Western Conference quarter-finals.^{[citation needed]}

Following the 2011–12 season, Smith resigned from his position with the Spitfires, as he was hired to become the head coach of theOshawa Generals.^{[citation needed]}

Smith joined theOshawa Generals of theOntario Hockey League as head coach for the2012–13 season. On September 20, 2012, Smith coached his first career OHL game, earning the victory as the Generals defeated thePeterborough Petes 5–2. Oshawa had a very strong season, earning a record of 42–22–4, getting 88 points, and finishing in third place in the Eastern Conference. In the post-season, the Generals defeated theNiagara IceDogs in five games in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals, however, the club was swept by theBarrie Colts in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.^{[citation needed]}

Oshawa improved slightly in the2013–14 season, as the club finished the season with a 42–20–6 record, earning 90 points and first place in the Eastern Conference. In the post-season, the Generals swept theMississauga Steelheads in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals, followed by a second straight sweep in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, as Oshawa defeated thePeterborough Petes in four games. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Generals were swept by theNorth Bay Battalion. Smith won theMatt Leyden Trophy as the OHL Coach of the Year in the2013–14 OHL season.^[4]

The Generals were the top team in the Eastern Conference in2014–15, as the club earned a 51–11–6 record, earning 108 points, which was an improvement of 18 points over the previous season. In the post-season, the Generals defeated thePeterborough Petes in five games in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals, followed by defeating theNiagara IceDogs in five games in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Generals had a re-match against theNorth Bay Battalion, as Oshawa got their revenge, as they defeated the Battalion in six games. In theJ. Ross Robertson Cup finals against theErie Otters, led byConnor McDavid, the Generals won the series in five games to clinch the OHL championship and a berth into the2015 Memorial Cup. At the tournament, the Generals finished with a perfect record and defeated theKelowna Rockets 2–1 in overtime in the final game to win theMemorial Cup.^{[citation needed]}

Following the 2014–15 season, Smith resigned as head coach of the Generals, as he took a job to become an assistant coach with theToronto Maple Leafs.^{[citation needed]}

Smith joined theToronto Maple Leafs of theNational Hockey League as an assistant coach to newly hired head coachMike Babcock.^[5] In his first season with the Leafs in2015–16, Toronto struggled to a 29–42–11 record, earning 69 points, and finishing in last place in the NHL.^{[citation needed]}

The rebuilding Leafs saw improvement during the2016–17 season, as Toronto finished with a 40–27–15 record, earning 95 points, and the second wild-card seed in the Eastern Conference. In the post-season, the Maple Leafs lost to theWashington Capitals in six games.^{[citation needed]}

Toronto continued to improve during Smith's third season with the team in2017–18, as the Maple Leafs had a 49–26–7 record, earning 105 points, and third place in the Atlantic Division. In the first round of the post-season, the Leafs lost to theBoston Bruins in seven games.^{[citation needed]}

The Leafs saw a slight decline in the2018–19 season, as the club finished with a 46–28–8 record, earning 100 points, five fewer than the previous season, however, Toronto once again finished in third place in the Atlantic Division. In the first round of the playoffs, the Leafs had a re-match against theBoston Bruins and once again lost in seven games to the Bruins.^{[citation needed]}

Following the season, Smith resigned from his job with the Leafs and took the job to become the head coach of theOttawa Senators.^{[citation needed]}

On May 23, 2019, theOttawa Senators announced that Smith agreed to a three-year contract to be the team's head coach.^[6] On July 28, 2021, the Senators signed Smith to a two-year contract extension, running through the 2023–24 season, with a club option for 2024–25.^[7] After an 11–15–0 start to his fifth season as head coach, the Senators fired Smith on December 18, 2023.^[8]

On February 6, 2024, theLos Angeles Kings hired Smith as an assistant coach onJim Hiller's staff.^[9][10]

• Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

• 1977 births
• Living people
• Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
• Canadian ice hockey coaches
• Canadian ice hockey defencemen
• Colorado Avalanche players
• Hershey Bears players
• Ice hockey people from Windsor, Ontario
• New York Islanders draft picks
• Oshawa Generals coaches
• St. John's Maple Leafs players
• Toronto Maple Leafs coaches
• Toronto Maple Leafs players
• Windsor Spitfires coaches

• CS1 Canadian French-language sources (fr-ca)
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use mdy dates from April 2021
• All articles with unsourced statements
• Articles with unsourced statements from September 2019