After a couple years of shuffling head coaches, the Marblehead girls hockey team appears to have found its fit as former Magicians player Brittany Smith has been hired as the team’s new head coach. Smith takes over for Ryan Wood, who went 7-11-2 in one season at the helm.
A Manchester-Essex alum who played for the Marblehead co-op team from 2011-2014, Smith is excited to get to work as the head coach of her former team.
“I couldn’t be more excited to get started with Marblehead,” said Smith. “This program was so great and welcoming to me coming in back when I played here, and to be able to come back and coach here is very special.”
Smith was a star on the ice for Marblehead while playing for former coach Emily Hudak, scoring 70 goals and notching 107 total points in just three seasons of varsity play. She ended up continuing her career at Sacred Heart University, putting up a stat line of 30 goals, 29 assists and 59 total points in her four years there.
After coaching youth lacrosse and assisting with various “learn to skate” programs following graduation, Smith decided it was time to look for a coaching position at the high school level. When the Marblehead job opened up, she jumped right on it.
“I never thought Emily would leave, to be honest,” said Smith. “I really enjoyed my time coaching youth sports and teaching the little kids how to play, but I felt that it was time for me to look for a more team-oriented coaching position. When I saw that the position was open, I threw my hat in the ring.”
Smith’s hockey philosophy starts with the basics, which is fitting for a young Marblehead team that fields players from Marblehead, Swampscott, Manchester-Essex and Hamilton-Wenham.
“Skills build the game, and that’s going to be the focus to start things off,” said Smith. “Aside from that, I really want to emphasize to the team that this is a game of fluidity and anticipation and seeing a couple of steps ahead. I know we’re a young team, so the goal is to continue to build and get better every day.”
But becoming the head coach of a high school program also comes with challenges, particularly in this winter season that has been shaken by COVID-19 safety protocols and limited ice time.
“I think the No. 1 challenge that we’ll have to deal with is the limited ice time,” said Smith. “Obviously when you’re trying to build and get better you need a lot of practice time, and it looks like we’ll only be able to practice three or four times a week due to the limited availability.
“Also, without being able to dress in the locker rooms we’re going to need to find other ways to build our team bonding off the ice,” Smith added. “Whether it’s online Zoom chats or some other outlet, we’re going to have to find ways to remain together as a team in these new conditions.”
Still, Smith and the Magicians will get started with tryouts next Monday, and the plan is to play a 14-game Northeastern Hockey League schedule starting on Jan. 9.
“It’s going to be really exciting,” said Smith. “It’ll be a bit of a strange new season and I’m sure there will be some things we have to get used to, but I think all of us are ready to get started.”
