Stars add Martin Smith as Head Coach!

North Battleford, SK– The Battlefords North Stars are ecstatic to announce the hiring of Martin Smith as the team’s new Head Coach for the 2024-25 campaign! Martin will join Assistant Coach/Assistant General Manager Owen Lamb on the bench and work alongside General Manager Wylie Riendeau.

Martin who was born in Edam, Saskatchewan, spent a lot of his time growing up following behind his dad’s footsteps at the North Battleford Civic Centre. Martin joined the North Stars to begin his playing career in the 1987-88 campaign, he played a couple seasons throughout the WHL before returning back to the Stars to complete his junior career as a North Star. Smith finished his SJHL career with 254 games played, 158 goals, 218 assists for a total of 376 points! Martin has worn many different hats for this organization already in the last 37 years including, player Assistant Coach, Play by Play, color commentator and most recently fan, he now gets to put on the Head Coach hat. This past summer Smith & his family were inducted into the SJHL Hall of Fame and his number 27 jersey was retired by the club.

President Kyle Kellgren had nothing but positive remarks, “Right from the beginning Martin jumped on board to help out wherever he could from running practices, to hitting the bench for the games. He got comfortable with the players, and staff and really became the puzzle piece we were currently missing. After some back and forth with Smith we were finally able to land what we as an organization believe to be the best man for the job” Kyle stated “As a hometown kid that’s done what he’s done for hockey to come in and mentor Owen in his coaching journey I believe the two of them together can take this organization to a whole new level”

Assistant Coach and newly named Assistant General Manager Owen Lamb had nothing but positivity to boast, “I think Marty will be a good addition to the team. The players have been responsive to him when he has helped over the last couple weeks so I feel it will be a smooth transition. We have a great group of players, and I think Marty will fit right in!”  Owen is also excited to learn from Smith “He brings a lot of coaching and playing experience, so it’ll be good to learn from him.”

When asked what this new position with the North Stars meant to him Smith stated “I’m extremely excited and proud for this unbelievable opportunity. The organization has been a huge part of my hockey career and has always meant so much to my family. I played here, I live here and now to have the opportunity to coach the North Stars is a dream come true.”