The Swift Current Broncos announced on Wednesday they've hired former Senator Zack Smith as an assistant coach.
Zack Smith is back in hockey.
The popular former Senator, who played 11 seasons in Ottawa, has joined the Swift Current Broncos as an assistant coach. Smith played for the Western Hockey League club from 2004-2008 and served as their captain in his final season.
There, he caught the eye of GM Bryan Murray and his scouting staff. The Sens drafted Smith in 2008, and he went on to become one of only nine men to play over 600 games with the NHL club.
"I am very excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Broncos organization and community again," Smith said in a club press release. "I've been able to watch a few games and talk with staff and players, and I can't wait to join this very promising group and be a part of a big push in the second half of the season.
"This will be my first time trading in my stick for a whistle, so I am looking forward to learning from some respected hockey minds in Taras [McEwen] and Regan [Darby]."
McEwen became the club's interim head coach last month after a mutual parting of the ways with Devan Praught. That change was announced after Praught was handed a five-game suspension for allegedly violating the WHL standards of conduct.
"We are very excited to add Zack to our staff," Broncos GM Chad Leslie said in a club statement. "Zack cares about this organization a great deal and brings a ton of playing experience for our players to draw from. He is a quality person, and we look forward to having him here for the rest of the season."
Smith was a big part of Ottawa's run to the 2017 Eastern Conference final. In July 2019, with a rebuild underway, the Sens dealt Smith to Chicago for Artem Anisimov. At that time, the Sens were trying to get closer to the cap floor, and Anisimov's more expensive deal helped them do that. Smith played just one season with the Blackhawks before back injuries set in. He retired just before the 2021-22 campaign.
Smith will make his bench debut tonight in Lethbridge against the Hurricanes. The Broncos are 7th in the WHL East at 16-14-3.