With a season of major junior coaching experience now under his belt, Jason Smith is better equipped for his second tour of duty with the
Familiar with both the league and his returning players, are ready to hit the ground running in the 2017-18 campaign.
91裸聊视频淚 think having that whole experience of last year, from training camp, going through the exhibition season, getting to know the players, that was all new to me,91裸聊视频� said Smith, whose club posted a 45-22-5-0 record last season, before losing to Seattle in the Western Conference final. 91裸聊视频淣ow, I have a relationship that91裸聊视频檚 developed with most of the guys on the team, I know what to expect and the players know what to expect from the coaches.
91裸聊视频淎s a staff we91裸聊视频檒l look to make some adjustments in our style of play,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淚 think we had beliefs in a lot of what we did last year, it91裸聊视频檚 just a matter of tweaking things and, as a group, making sure we91裸聊视频檙e always communicating.91裸聊视频�
Smith will be supported again this season by assistants Kris Mallette and Travis Crickard, each in their fourth seasons, and Adam Brown, who is entering his second season as the video/goaltending coach.
Smith expects the 2017-18 edition Rockets to 91裸聊视频渂e a team that91裸聊视频檚 plays fast91裸聊视频� and will rely on 91裸聊视频渃ompete and work ethic91裸聊视频� to get results.
The second-year head coach is excited about the stable of talent the staff has to work with, including the back end which may be one of the league91裸聊视频檚 deepest and most skilled defensive corps.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 exciting,91裸聊视频� Smith said of the team91裸聊视频檚 defense. 91裸聊视频淲hen you have a group that can defend and also moves the puck well, that91裸聊视频檚 important. The way the game has evolved you want active D-men and hopefully that will help us put a lot of pressure on other teams.91裸聊视频�
For the first time since Ryan Huska91裸聊视频檚 final season at the helm in 2013-14, a Rockets head coach will be entering his second season with the club.
Kelowna GM Bruce Hamilton expects Smith and his staff will take a significant step forward this season.
91裸聊视频淚 think he91裸聊视频檚 going to be a lot more settled, knowing what he91裸聊视频檚 working with and his style that fits with the players he has,91裸聊视频� said Hamilton. 91裸聊视频淥ne thing we need to fix is our discipline, we were the most penalized team in the league last year and I know our coaches are working on that.
91裸聊视频淛ason has a year under his belt, it91裸聊视频檚 not an easy transition coming from pro to junior,91裸聊视频� Hamilton added. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 matured, he has a year of experience and our three assistants have all been through this with him.91裸聊视频�
Smith and the Rockets open the WHL regular season Friday at home to the Kamloops Blazers. Face off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.
