Blazers head coach eager to get started

By GREGG DRINNANDaily News Sports EditorHis coaching staff in place, Kamloops Blazers head coach Barry Smith canhardly wait to get the new WHL season started.“I’m really excited. I can’t wait to get there,” Smith said from Penticton,where he is working at a hockey school, after announcing his coaching staffearlier in the week.Scott Ferguson and Geoff Smith, both former Blazers and ex-NHL defencemen,will be the assistant coaches. Steve Passmore, a former Blazers goaltenderwho also played in the NHL, is returning as the goalie coach.“I’ve been a head coach twice but not like this where, for me, it reallymeans something,” said Barry Smith. “I am really excited.“I wish I could be there now. But I’ve got some other commitments that weremade a long time ago and I have to stick to them. But I’m excited to bethere. We’re all going to... [read full story]