Battlefords North Stars hire North Stars Legend, Martin Smith as the new Head Coach and General Manager. (Battlefords North Stars/Facebook)

By Austin Mattes

Battlefords North Stars

‘The North Stars have always been very important to me’: Martin Smith hired as new head coach

Oct 14, 2024 | 1:51 PM

The Battlefords North Stars announced Monday they have hired North Stars legend, Martin Smith, as the new Head Coach and General Manager for the team.

“Martin came on board, came to practices and started going on the bench, got comfortable with the players and became a part of the team early. The team really wanted him, so we got together, had some good conversations and pursued Martin and he became our head coach and we couldn’t be more excited. He’s a hometown guy that’s done a lot for this team. He’s helped Owen Lamb grow as a coach and now he can take this team to the next level,” said Kyle Kellgren, president of the Battleford North Stars.

Smith started playing for the North Stars in the 1987-88 season, with his father Dr. Ian Smith (Doc) being the North Stars President, SJHL Governor, and team doctor from 1989 to 1999.

The following two years, Martin split his playing career between the North Stars and the WHL.

In 1990-91, Smith came back to the North Stars to finish out his final two seasons with the team, where he became the second North Stars player to reach 50 goals in a season, the franchise leader in goals and second in points and games played all time.

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Smith finished his SJHL career with 229 games played, 142 goals and 207 assists for 349 points.

He spent time playing in the ECHL, BHL & WCHL before returning home to the Battlefords.

Since then, Smith has been very involved in the North Stars organization, being an assistant coach, play-by-play, colour commentator, and fan.

Just recently, Smith got to see his nephew Kian Bell play and wear the same #27, just as he did during his own time on the North Stars. Bell joined the North Stars in 2022-23, which became a record-breaking year not only for himself but also the franchise. Bell was the third North Star in history to score 50 goals in a season, with the last one being his Uncle Martin. He also put up a 100-point season, won an SJHL championship, and won a silver medal at the National Junior A Championship.

He achieved all this while wearing the same #27 that his Uncle Martin did 35 years earlier.

“I feel really good about the team. I think we’ve got a lot of team speed. We moved the puck pretty well but I’m just excited to get going and am looking forward to it. I’m just really honored that I get the opportunity to coach.” Smith said.

“The North Stars have always been very important to me. Obviously you know my playing career and then, over the years and then in the last couple of seasons, my nephew playing here and I’m just really overjoyed because of the fact that I just have such a passion for this organization and for the community and to be able to coach a team that I once played for is really a dream come true.” Smith added.

Smith will be starting with the team for practice on Tuesday before their next game this Wednesday, Oct. 16 against the Notre Dame Hounds.

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austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @AustinMattes