EDMONTON, AB - Newly-signed Oilers goaltender Mike Smith's appreciation for the coaching ability of Head Coach Dave Tippett has been well documented over his 13-year NHL career.
For the third time, the 37-year-old joins up with the new Oilers bench boss after first breaking into the League under Tippett with the Dallas Stars (2006-07) before a further seven seasons together with the Arizona Coyotes (2011-2017).
"Tippett was a big reason why my career kind of turned around in Arizona, bringing me there and giving me a chance to be a number-one guy and play a lot of games," Smith said on Monday.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound netminder enjoyed his most successful season in Arizona under Tippett in his first campaign with the Desert Dogs in '11-12, posting a 38-18-10 record and a .930 save percentage and 2.21 goals-against average.
"I have a lot of respect for the way he coaches, the way he treats people, his transparency is unlike a lot of coaches, he's very honest, and I think all you can ask for as a player is knowing where you stand and Tipp is that kind of coach," Smith said. "He has a very structured system that I really believe in, and I think he really gets the most out of his players.
"I'm excited he reached out and is giving me another opportunity in Edmonton."
BLOG: Smith a firm believer in Tippett's coaching
"He has a very structured system that I really believe in, and I think he really gets the most out of his players," the 37-year-old netminder said
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