Rensselaer hopes 13 is a lucky number as they named former Canisius head coach Dave Smith to take over behind the Engineers bench replacing Seth Appert, who was at the helm since 2006 and let go in early March.
“This program has history and tradition, which was important to me,” Smith said at the press conference announcing his hiring. “I am also excited to be part of the Big Red Freakout.
“This (the Houston Field House) is a classic building and I want to get the place rocking for hockey crowds.”
Smith has led the Canisius College men’s ice hockey team for the last 12 seasons and was named the Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year after the Golden Griffins won the program’s first regular-season title. He led the Golden Griffins to three straight trips to Atlantic Hockey Championship weekend and the team’s first crown and trip to the NCAA tournament in 2013.
“Our national search for a new men’s ice hockey coach produced a strong pool of candidates, and it is clear that Dave Smith is the right person to lead the Rensselaer hockey program as we anticipate even higher levels of success in the future,” said President Shirley Ann Jackson at the press conference. “I am confident that he will continue the proud tradition of Rensselaer men’s hockey and add to our prominence as a leading program.
“He has a thorough understanding of the importance of the education that our young people are here to acquire, and the importance of developing the mind, body, and spirit. We look forward to seeing his success with our team.”
A former associate head coach at Mercyhurst and assistant coach with Bowling Green and Miami/Ohio, Smith summarized his comments at the press conference by calling himself a farmer.
“My job is to make conditions right for growth.”
