Jason Smith promoted to men’s ice hockey assistant coach

Smith will work with the Northeastern defense and oversee the Husky penalty killing unit

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BOSTON – Northeastern men's ice hockey head coach Jim Madigan announced on Thursday that Jason Smith has been promoted to assistant coach. Smith, who previously served as the director of hockey operations, will assume his role effective immediately.

"We are thrilled to add Jason as an assistant coach on our staff," Madigan said. "He did a tremendous job as our director of operations last season, and has had success as an assistant coach in the past. He has a great relationship with our student-athletes, knows our systems, and we believe that he will make a seamless transition into his new role."

In his new position, Smith will work directly with the Northeastern defensive corps. He will also oversee the Huskies' penalty killing unit and serve as the team's academic liaison.

"I am honored to be a part of the coaching staff, and I would like to thank Coach Madigan and Jerry Keefe, as well as athletic director Peter Roby, for this excellent opportunity," Smith said. "This is a very exciting time to be at Northeastern, and I cannot wait to get started."

In his previous post with the Huskies, Smith was responsible for the team's digital video analysis system, including all video breakdown and management of video databases for coach and player use, as well as maintaining statistical databases. He also coordinated the pre-scouting of opponents, scouting reports and video exchange.

With one of the youngest rosters in college hockey consisting of 19 underclassmen, including 12 freshmen, Smith helped guide the 2013-14 Huskies to one of their best seasons in program history. NU was 19-14-4, which was tied for the sixth most wins in team history as well as tied for the fourth largest turnaround in the NCAA. The squad reached the Beanpot championship game for the third time in the last four years and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Northeastern finished the 2013-14 campaign ranked 19th in the USCHO.com poll, and was ranked as high as ninth on two occasions, NU's highest ranking since the end of the 2008-09 season. The Huskies were also 18th in the final PairWise ranking, narrowly missing an at-large bid to the national tournament.

Smith spent six years as an assistant coach at Holy Cross from 2007 to 2013, where he served as the recruiting coordinator and worked with all positions with an emphasis on forwards. He also coordinated team video and pre-scout video of opponents.

Smith arrived at Holy Cross from Babson College, where he was as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for four seasons. Babson won the ECAC East Championship in 2007 and earned its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1993. In total, Babson reached the ECAC East finals in three of the four seasons Smith was a part of the program. He previously served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Salem State College for four years. Smith was also the head women's lacrosse coach at Salem State.

A native of West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Smith graduated from Salem State in 1998 where he was a three-year member of the hockey team and was a captain as a junior and senior. Smith led the team in scoring in the 1996-97 season. He previously played at Massachusetts during the 1993-94 season.

Smith replaces Patrick Foley, who resigned in August after three seasons at Northeastern.

The Huskies will hit the ice for the first time this season on Oct. 5 for an exhibition contest against Acadia at 3 p.m. before kicking off the regular season at home against Vermont on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. with Hockey East points on the line.

Season tickets, as well as individual game tickets, are available for men's ice hockey and can be purchased by visiting GoNU.com/tickets. Please contact the Ticket Office by calling 617-373-4700 or emailing huskytix@neu.edu with any questions.

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