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Oilers Headlines |
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7/15/2010
Steve Smith is returning to the scene of some of his greatest, and undoubtedly, his worst moment in professional hockey.
The former star defenceman of the Oilers is coming back to Edmonton, this time as an assistant coach. Smith, who won three Stanley Cup with the Oilers and was also an NHL all-star during his time with the Oil, will always be remembered for his own goal -- a clearing pass that went off the back of the leg of goaltender Grant Fuhr and into the net in the seventh-and-deciding game of the 1986 Smythe Division final against Calgary. The goal would turn out to be the series winner for the Flames, who won the game, 3-2.
Smith also played with Chicago and the Flames during his 16-year career. He was an assistant coach with Calgary in 1996-'97, before coming out of retirenment to play in Cowtown. He spent the last two seasons as a scout for the Blackhawks.
"Steve was an integral part of the Oilers on the blue line," said Oilers' general manager Steve Tambellini in a Thursday news release. "He will be playing an important role in developing our young defense group."
Tambellini has also announced that Kelly Buchberger will return as an assistant to new head coach Tom Renney.
Meantime, the Oilers have named former Atlanta Thrashers' assistant coach Todd Nelson their first head coach of their new American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons.
"Todd has demonstrated a winning record and attitude throughout his professional career and we know that he will be a very valuable asset mentoring and developing our players in Oklahoma City," said Tambellini of the Prince Albert-native. "He has a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach in the NHL and AHL, which will be an added benefit to our organization. We are extremely excited to have him as our coach."(bp)
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