Thunderbirds Owner Curt Styres and Head Coach Mike Accursi Names Billy Dee Smith To Coaching Staff

Oct 21, 2019

Halifax, Nova Scotia- The Thunderbirds have announced the signing of NLL veteran defenseman, Billy Dee Smith, to the team's coaching staff.

A native of St. Catharines, ON, the former standout defenseman was selected third overall in the 2002 NLL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Bandits. He went on to spend 15 years with the Bandits organization, highlighted by an NLL Championship in 2008.

During the 2008 Playoffs, he set personal career highs in playoff points (four), goals (four) and loose balls (16). The following season, he was honored as the NLL Defensive Player of the Year, and was named to the 2009 All-Pro first team. In 2016, Smith was named Buffalo's team captain.

Prior to the start of the 2018 season, Smith signed with the Rochester Knighthawks as a free-agent, finishing out his playing career with the organization.

Smith, alongside current Thunderbird Scott Campbell and a majority of the Thunderbirds defensive corps, went on to make an NLL Cup run in the 2018 season, falling to the Saskatchewan Rush in a decisive Game Three.

It is the rapport Smith built with his former teammates that Head Coach Mike Accursi hopes will provide a seamless transition from his leadership on the floor to behind the bench.

“Players respect him and the experience that he brings to the table,” continues Accursi. “I’m excited to see him work with this defensive group. They are young, athletic, and smart. I think it’s a great fit.”

The lefty defenseman spent his career as a known enforcer, accumulating 685 penalty minutes and tallying 535 loose balls in his 17 seasons.

“Billy was one of the fiercest defenders in the history of this league,” said Accursi. “His competitive nature and aggressive style made him one of the best players and now will make him one of the best defensive coaches in the league. His rapport with players and lacrosse IQ is fantastic.”

On the international stage, Smith secured a roster spot with Team Canada in three world championships. He won gold in 2006 and silver in 2010 at the FIL World Outdoor Lacrosse Championships. In 2015, Smith played in his first FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship and won a gold medal.