Smith Named Team Canada Assistant Coach for Olympics
7/31/2025 3:07:00 PM | Ice Hockey
CALGARY, Alberta – Syracuse University women's ice hockey head coach Britni Smith has been named as an assistant coach for Hockey Canada for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
"It is a tremendous honor to be selected as an assistant coach with Hockey Canada's National Women's Team for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games," said Smith. "Representing Canada on the international stage is both humbling and exciting, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute alongside some of the most accomplished athletes and coaches in the game.
"I would like to thank Hockey Canada for this opportunity, and to all those who have supported me throughout my coaching career," continued Smith. "I am especially thankful to Syracuse University, our athletic department, and our exceptional student-athletes for their support. I also want to express my gratitude to associate head coach Heather Farrell—I'm confident she will lead our program with excellence.
"I look forward to returning with valuable experiences and insights that will further benefit our team and the continued growth of our program here at Syracuse University," Smith concluded.
Smith will remain with the Syracuse team in a leadership and support role for the 2025-26 season while also fulfilling her responsibilities with Hockey Canada. Associate head coach Heather Farrell will serve as acting head coach for the upcoming season.
Canada will play in Pool A for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games with Finland, Switzerland, Czechia, and the United States. Canada opens action on Thursday, February 5 against Finland with a 3:10 p.m. ET puck drop at Milano Rho Arena in Milan, Italy.
Smith and Hockey Canada took silver at the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship in Czechia in April. Canada went 3-0-1 in pool play, falling only to the United States. The two met again in the Gold Medal Round in an overtime classic.
Smith was with Hockey Canada during the 2024-25 Rivalry Series as well, helping the Canadian side to a 3-2 series win over the United States, capped by a 3-1 win on February 8 in Prince Edward Island.
Taking the reins for the 2022-23 season, Smith and the Orange reached the Atlantic Hockey America (previously College Hockey America) Semifinals this season, taking down Robert Morris in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 overtime win. In the AHA Semifinals, the Orange topped eventual league runner-up 1-0 in the series opener. During this past season, Syracuse picked up 11 wins in league play while taking a top 15 Penn State team to overtime twice this past season.
Prior to her time at Syracuse, Smith was an assistant coach at Clarkson (2014-2022) and the University of Toronto (2012-14). Smith, who hails from Port Perry, Ontario, has worked with Hockey Canada in a coaching capacity since 2014.
During her playing career, Smith was a member of the Hockey Canada U22 National Team (2006-10), earning MLP Cup Gold in 2010 and Silver in 2009, as well as European Air Canada Cup Gold in 2007 and 2008. Smith played collegiately at St. Lawrence University (2006-10), helping the Saints to the NCAA Division I Frozen Four in 2007 with NCAA Tournament appearances in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Smith served as an alternate captain in her senior season and was in the top 10 for the Patty Kazmaier Award that same season.
After college, Smith played for the CWHL Toronto Furies (2010-14), winning the CWHL Championship during the 2013-14 season. Smith was the CWHL Rookie of the Year in 2011 after being drafted third overall in the inaugural CWHL Draft (2010).
"It is a tremendous honor to be selected as an assistant coach with Hockey Canada's National Women's Team for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games," said Smith. "Representing Canada on the international stage is both humbling and exciting, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute alongside some of the most accomplished athletes and coaches in the game.
"I would like to thank Hockey Canada for this opportunity, and to all those who have supported me throughout my coaching career," continued Smith. "I am especially thankful to Syracuse University, our athletic department, and our exceptional student-athletes for their support. I also want to express my gratitude to associate head coach Heather Farrell—I'm confident she will lead our program with excellence.
"I look forward to returning with valuable experiences and insights that will further benefit our team and the continued growth of our program here at Syracuse University," Smith concluded.
Smith will remain with the Syracuse team in a leadership and support role for the 2025-26 season while also fulfilling her responsibilities with Hockey Canada. Associate head coach Heather Farrell will serve as acting head coach for the upcoming season.
Canada will play in Pool A for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games with Finland, Switzerland, Czechia, and the United States. Canada opens action on Thursday, February 5 against Finland with a 3:10 p.m. ET puck drop at Milano Rho Arena in Milan, Italy.
Smith and Hockey Canada took silver at the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship in Czechia in April. Canada went 3-0-1 in pool play, falling only to the United States. The two met again in the Gold Medal Round in an overtime classic.
Smith was with Hockey Canada during the 2024-25 Rivalry Series as well, helping the Canadian side to a 3-2 series win over the United States, capped by a 3-1 win on February 8 in Prince Edward Island.
Taking the reins for the 2022-23 season, Smith and the Orange reached the Atlantic Hockey America (previously College Hockey America) Semifinals this season, taking down Robert Morris in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 overtime win. In the AHA Semifinals, the Orange topped eventual league runner-up 1-0 in the series opener. During this past season, Syracuse picked up 11 wins in league play while taking a top 15 Penn State team to overtime twice this past season.
Prior to her time at Syracuse, Smith was an assistant coach at Clarkson (2014-2022) and the University of Toronto (2012-14). Smith, who hails from Port Perry, Ontario, has worked with Hockey Canada in a coaching capacity since 2014.
During her playing career, Smith was a member of the Hockey Canada U22 National Team (2006-10), earning MLP Cup Gold in 2010 and Silver in 2009, as well as European Air Canada Cup Gold in 2007 and 2008. Smith played collegiately at St. Lawrence University (2006-10), helping the Saints to the NCAA Division I Frozen Four in 2007 with NCAA Tournament appearances in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Smith served as an alternate captain in her senior season and was in the top 10 for the Patty Kazmaier Award that same season.
After college, Smith played for the CWHL Toronto Furies (2010-14), winning the CWHL Championship during the 2013-14 season. Smith was the CWHL Rookie of the Year in 2011 after being drafted third overall in the inaugural CWHL Draft (2010).
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