DJ Smith guiding L.A. Kings while keeping eye on son Colton

Windsor's DJ Smith has two games (1-1) under his belt as interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, who are giving the veteran bench boss an opportunity to guide the club through the final stretch of the NHL season.

Smith, 48, is in his second full season with the Kings after joining the organization on Feb. 5, 2024. Prior to arriving in Los Angeles, he served as head coach of the Ottawa Senators for parts of five seasons from 2019 to 2024. He also spent four years as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019, working alongside current Kings head coach Jim Hiller before being hired in Ottawa.

Source: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Taking over on an interim basis late in the season comes with challenges. “Whenever you're taking over for a guy, it means the team isn't playing good,” Smith said. “You don't have a training camp, you don't have any of those things. You got a 30-minute practice and then away you go.”

With injuries impacting the lineup and several young players recently making their NHL debuts, Smith says the mindset is clear.

“We're going to work. We're going to try and create turnovers. We're going to play with a lot of energy, and then we're going to need the veterans to play their best of the year for this final 20 games.”

Smith sees the interim role as another chance to prove himself behind an NHL bench.

“I came here to get better. I think I'm a better coach,” he said. “Over this 20-plus games, I have to show that I have the ability to improve a team. Regardless of the situation, you’ve got to try and make your mark.”

He added that his teams typically “work extremely hard, have been detailed and they're physical and I think that's a brand of hockey that can win.“

Colton Smith earlier this seasson

Amid the NHL push, Smith is also watching proudly from afar as his son Colton suits up for the Windsor Lancers, who open the playoffs Thursday night at Toronto Metropolitan University.

“I’m really proud of him,” Smith said. “Sometimes it takes a long time and sometimes it takes an opportunity. I think taking a step back sometimes helps you take a step forward.”

Smith believes returning home to Windsor and rediscovering the joy of the game has sparked his son’s success.

“He just went back to playing hockey and having fun and there’s something to that,” said Smith, who watched Colton win the OJHL scoring title last season with the Leamington Flyers under head coach Dale Mitchell and take a giant leap with the Lancers and head coach Kevin Hamlin.

The Kings are in the playoff mix trailing the Seattle Kraken by three points for a wild card spot heading into Montreal to face the Canadiens Saturday night. The Lancers, who have a 1-0 series lead over TMU, host game two of their best-of-three series Saturday night. Game three, if necessary, is Sunday at 4pm at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex.