The long process of finding a head coach for the Battlefords Midget Stars has finally come to an end with a familiar face back behind the bench.
Martin Smith coached with the Stars for more than two seasons, before being relieved of his duties in November of 2010. Last week, it was made known Smith has been hired as the new head coach of the Stars for the 2012-13 season.
Smith is excited to be back with the team and looks forward to the opportunity.
"I feel there is a bit of unfinished business there," said Smith.
Although Smith didn't coach in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League last season, he didn't step away from coaching. Smith was the head coach of the Battlefords Bantam AA Barons in the team's first season in the new Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League last season.
Smith attributes his time with the Barons last season as a way for him to step back and evaluate the job of a coach in an elite league.
He is prepared to make the commitment to the program and expects the players he chooses for the team to make the same effort and show the same dedication.
"Sacrifices have to be made and we will be looking for strong commitment from the best 20 players on and off the ice," said Smith Monday.
Because Smith and his coaching staff of Jody Reiter (assistant coach) and Shawn Robinson (manager) weren't in place during spring camp, the board of directors have been working on commitments during that time. The board and coaching staff will meet in the near future to discuss the veterans, prospects, depth chart and other items as they continue to recruit and prepare for the upcoming season.
Smith stays optimistic that they will recruit a SMAAAHL worthy roster and potentially begin to turn the fortune of the franchise around.
The Stars haven't made the playoffs in nearly a decade and carry a 51-150-11-8 record dating back to the 2007-08 season.
The Stars have 11 players eligible to return next season.
Since coaching the Barons last season, Smith knows some of the team's top prospects first hand He is also familiar with the players on the team last season and from teams around the area. Smith also commented on the recruiting efforts of Lorne Nielsen, who coached the Stars last season and finished with a 7-32-2-3 record.
"This is an excellent opportunity," said Smith as he now prepares for fall camp, which will be the first weekend in September.
The process to hire a coach began after the Midget Stars board and Battlefords Minor Hockey Association restructured the agreement on the coaching position. After overturning a decision to disband the Battlefords Midget Stars board and coaching staff the decision was made to have potential coaches submit an application each season and a hiring process will determine who the coach will be. That system works the same as those employed by other Battlefords Minor Hockey Association development teams.
