WESTBOROUGH – For the past 16 seasons, Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman kept himself in front of the puck and as often as possible as a professional hockey player.
This season, he’ll be behind the bench and the desk, as the new coach and general manager for the Worcester Railers, the East Coast Hockey League affiliate for the New York Islanders.
“We are very excited to name Jordan as our new head coach and general manager,” said Chief Operating Officer Michael Myers. “This past season, he was a major asset to our organization, providing veteran leadership and leading our club in scoring.
“He has proven throughout his career that he is a winner, having captured multiple league championships, including an AHL Calder Cup. With 16 years of professional experience as a player, captain and player assistant coach, we feel very confident that he will be able to help us take the next step forward on and off the ice.”
“It’s been an exciting summer so far,” said Lavallee-Smotherman. “It’s definitely been life-changing.”
Lavallee-Smotherman has spent the first weeks with “a lot of recruiting and management.”
“I got to sign players, get the right staff … It’s been a fun experience so far,” he said.
‘Transitioning with a peace of mind’
A Westborough native, Lavallee-Smotherman began his pro hockey career in 2005 when he was drafted by the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers in the fourth round.
He made his National Hockey League debut with the Thrashers on March 31, 2008, and scored his first goal on April 1. He went on to play part of two seasons with Atlanta from2007 to 2009, followed by playing parts of five seasons in the American Hockey League with the Chicago Wolves, Syracuse Crunch, Providence Bruins and Springfield Thunderbirds, accumulating 165 points — 79 goals and 86 assists — in 374 career games.
He was named to the East Coast Hockey League’s first all-star team during the 2017-18 season as a member of the Manchester Monarchs, totaling 72 points — 34 goals and 38 assists — in 69 games.
During his time playing forward, Lavallee-Smotherman gained experience in coaching serving as a volunteer assistant with the Manchester Monarchs during the 2017-18 season, guiding them to game seven in the Eastern Conference final.
He also served as a player assistant with the Belfast Giants during the 2019-20 campaign.
During the 2021-22 season, in which the Railers went 3232, Lavallee-Smotherman was the team’s captain and leading scorer, with 30 goals and 32 assists.
“It was a good season last year. It was easier to say goodbye,” said Lavallee-Smotherman. “I’m transitioning with peace of mind.”
Looking ahead to the season, Lavallee-Smotherman said the Railers should be improved on defense, and the power play should be better than last season.
Lavallee-Smotherman also likes the Railers’ commitment to community service.
“We spend a lot of time in public,” he said. “We continue to be involved in the community.”
Although he’s now a coach and general manager, Lavallee-Smotherman hasn’t hung up his skates. He plays in a men’s league at NorthStar Arena in Westborough twice a week.
The Worcester Railers’ 202223 opening weekend at the DCU Center is Oct. 22 and Oct. 23 vs. the Adirondack Thunder.
Season memberships for the 2022-23 season and group packages are on sale now by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750 or by visiting RailersHC.com.
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