Ryan Smith dreams of one day coaching in the NHL.
Last week he took another step towards that goal when he announced he was leaving the Humboldt Broncos to become an associate coach with the Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos. Smith noted the WHL develops not only players but coaches and management as well.
“I love the game,” Smith said. “I have a passion for the game. …To move up a level is exciting.”
For the second straight summer, the local Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League are looking for a new head coach and general manager. Last year, Dean Brockman departed to be an assistant coach with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades after more than 16 years with the team.
“It goes to show that we picked a strong coach that teams in major junior are looking for,” Humboldt Broncos President Jamie Brockman wrote in an email interview. “Our last two coaches have moved on to advance their careers not because they left for another Junior ‘A’ program or because we let them go. If there is a way to lose a head coach, this would be the best possible way.”
The process to find a new bench boss started immediately. The timeline is tight with fall camp only about a month a way, but Brockman noted the organization went through a similar situation last year and has that experience to draw upon.
The Humboldt Broncos went 24-25-5-2 last season to finish eighth overall. The squad fell in the wildcard playoffs to the Weyburn Red Wings.
“Ryan was an extremely passionate individual,” Jamie Brockman wrote. “He was all in with our organization and was doing everything he can to ensure that last year’s result was improved. It didn’t sit well with him. I could see that he was starting to put his stamp on this team.”
While someone else will be leading the way, Smith said that he, the Broncos scouting staff, and assistant coach Brayden Klimosko, have worked at building next season’s squad.
“From my side, I think it is going to be a pretty good team to watch and to coach,” Smith said.
The now former Humboldt Broncos coach said that leaving is not easy. He emphasized that coaching in Humboldt was a great experience and there was not one thing he would change.
“The thing I think I will remember the most and take away the most are the friends I made in Humboldt,” Smith said.
Jamie Brockman expressed the organization’s appreciation for Smith’s time in Humboldt and congratulated him on getting a step closer to realizing his goal.
“The Swift Current Broncos are getting an excellent coach and person,” he said.
Broncos captain Anthony Kapelke said he is sorry to see Smith go, but on behalf of the team wishes him the best of luck at the next level.
“Smitty’s knowledge of the game is second to none and his ability to adapt on the fly is one of a kind,” Kapelke wrote in a text interview. “He was a unique coach in the sense that at times he was very old school and serious, whereas others he would joke with us and bring a jovial mood to the room. He got what he wanted out of his players while simultaneously connecting with them; this connection created a willingness and desire to compete for him.”
Smith, who coached the Selkirk Steelers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League before coming to Humboldt, is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of coaching another group of Broncos.
“I think the team in Swift Current itself definitely excites me,” he said, noting they are similar to what he had in Humboldt. “They are a bit of a young team this year, strong on defence, veteran goalie, and some fire power up front.”
In Swift Current, Smith will work with head coach Mark Lamb, who has NHL experience as a player and coach, and assistant coach Jamie Heward, who also played in the NHL. Smith is looking forward to learning from and collaborating with them.
“Just to get a little bit of help and some guidance is huge for me,” he said.
Smith had actually been in the running for the Swift Current associate coach post last summer as well.
