Marty Williamson’s days of double-shifting are over.
Over the last four years, Williamson has served as both the head coach and general manager of the Barrie Colts, but he’ll now be able to focus solely on his front office duties as Dylan Smoskowitz was named the team’s new head coach this week.
Smoskowitz, a former Colts player, has been the assistant coach, working under Williamson, since 2021.
Both were behind the bench during the Colts’ recent playoff run, in which the team reached the eastern conference finals for the first time in nearly a decade before being swept by the Oshawa Generals.
In a statement, Williamson said he’s “very much looking forward” to working with Smoskowitz in his new role.
“He’s ready,” said Williamson, who leaves the bench with the seventh-most wins in OHL history (split between Barrie and the Niagara IceDogs). “He knows the game, leads by example, and connects extremely well with our players. It’s time to give him the reins.”
“This move allows me to focus on the GM role fully, and I believe it’s a great step forward for our organization.”
Meanwhile, Smoskowitz said he was “beyond thrilled” with the opportunity, and described becoming a head coach one of his “lifetime goals.” He is the sixth-head coach in franchise history and, at 32-years-old, one of the youngest bench bosses in major junior hockey.
Smoskowitz played two seasons with the Colts from 2009 to 2011, in which he posted 40 points in 127 games. He later briefly played professionally in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
“Dylan has grown with this organization as a player and an Assistant Coach,” said team owner and president Howie Campbell in a statement. “And Marty has been a key part of our success since I took over the team 20 years ago. This move just speaks to what I have felt and try to instill, we are a family.”
“The future is bright for our team.”
The 2025-26 OHL season gets underway in September.
