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Smith eager to develop as a coach with Maple Leafs

Some Leaf fans will remember D.J. Smith when he was an added defenceman as part of a major trade that saw Wendel Clark begin in his second tenure in Toronto in 1996.

If you don’t remember that, Smith won’t take it personally.

By his own admission, he was fortunate to have a short time as a player in the NHL, a small portion of that with the Maple Leafs and six seasons with their AHL affiliate, the St. John’s Maple Leafs.

“I used the word lucky really, to have a chance to be a part of the Maple Leafs as a player in that trade and play a few games for the team was the highlight of my career and now to have a second chance as a coach, it’s unbelievable,” said Smith.