18U Head Coach and Director Doug Smail Earns Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame Induction

The Rocky Mountain RoughRiders are proud to share that our 18U Head Coach and Director of Coach & Player Development, Doug Smail, has been named to the Class of 2026 for induction into the Ted Knight Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame.

Coach Smail will be inducted in the Player Category, recognized for his outstanding career and lifelong contributions to the game of hockey. He joins an impressive group of honorees in this year’s class, celebrating individuals and teams who have made a lasting impact on the sport in Saskatchewan.

While many in our community know Doug for his leadership behind the bench, this honor reflects the elite playing career and deep hockey roots that continue to shape our program every day. As both our 18U Head Coach and Director of Coach & Player Development, Doug plays a critical role in mentoring our athletes and supporting the development of coaches across the organization.

A Saskatchewan native, Smail built an accomplished playing career that included 13 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1980 to 1993, along with three additional seasons in Europe. He also won an NCAA Division I National Championship at the University of North Dakota before beginning his professional career.

This recognition is especially meaningful for the RoughRiders organization and our players. It speaks to the level of experience, leadership, and hockey knowledge guiding our program each day. Our athletes benefit not only from Doug’s accomplishments as a player, but from his commitment to developing the next generation of hockey players the right way.

The Ted Knight Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame, located in Swift Current at the InnovationPlex, celebrates the individuals and teams who have helped define hockey in the province. Past inductees include legends such as Gordie Howe, Hayley Wickenheiser, Ryan Getzlaf, and Chris Kunitz.

We are incredibly proud to see Coach Smail recognized among Saskatchewan’s hockey greats. This honor is well deserved and reflects the impact he continues to make within the RoughRiders organization and on our players every day.