Former Oiler Ladislav Smid (7/15/26)

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Oilers NOW with Bob Stauffer 22 min 4 speakers 5 chapters transcribed 2 months ago

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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

Bob Stauffer 0:00

Hey, it's Bob Stauffer. I just wanted to let you know that you can listen to Oilers Now ad-free on Amazon Music, included with Prime.

Aiden Ganim 0:09

The quesadilla has returned and it is here to stay. Loaded with seasoned chicken, chipotle mayo, peppers, onions, and cheese for only $15.95. Visit royalpizza.ca. $5.34 in oil country. And I don't want to keep them waiting on the line. Now joining us on the show is former Edmonton oiler Ladislav Schmid. Laddy, how you doing, man?

0:31

Hi.

Aiden Ganim 0:32

I'm doing good. How are you doing, guys? I'm doing really, really good. I just wanted to first off ask you, I saw earlier this summer that you've signed in the extra league as an assistant coach. I mean, that's super, super exciting for you. Could you tell me a little bit about it?

Ladislav Šmíd 0:48

Yeah, I'm very pumped about it. It all kind of started with my son, though. My 11-year-old son who wants to maybe one day have a chance to represent the Czech Republic. And in order to do that, because he has dual citizenship, he needs to play at least a couple of seasons in Europe or in Czech Republic. And around the same time when he was going to me and kind of begging me, he wants to try and play there. I got an offer from Sparta Prague, one of the teams in Czech, to coach, to be assistant of the coach, to be a D coach for that team. And kind of all worked out. And yeah, we are moving next year. Next Thursday to check with my sons. My daughter has been unfortunate to stay behind. But yeah, my boy's going to be playing in check.

Ladislav Šmíd 1:42

I'm going to be coaching there. And yeah, just last week of getting everything prepared to move.

Aiden Ganim 1:48

Oh, that's got to be so exciting, man. And I mean, it's no shock that you got an offer to coach in that league. I mean, the work that you've been doing with the World Junior Team for Czech has been absolutely unbelievable. I mean, that system has been coming in just super well and giving Canada a hard time every single year. I mean, what's kind of been the switch there for that program?

Ladislav Šmíd 2:11

I wish I would know.

How did Ladislav Smid end up signing as an assistant coach with Sparta Prague?

Ladislav Šmíd 2:14

Honestly, we struggled for years with developing players, but it seems it's turning a little bit. I think the government and the Czech hockey spends a little bit more money. They bring good quality coaches. They pay them. And yeah, it all works together. I think the last three years, What's been happening in Czech that, you know, the U18, U20 and the men's national team program, those three head coaches, they go around Czech and they kind of, they do practices for junior teams and like from, let's say from U15 all the way to the junior teams, they do practices and they show the other coaches systems what everybody wants to play. So we are all on the same page. So when the kids get called from each team to the national team, they know what's going on.

Ladislav Šmíd 3:10

And I think that's very important because we are a very little country. We don't produce as many players as Canada does. So we all have to be on the same page. I think that's a big switch in what's been happening over in the Czech Republic.

Aiden Ganim 3:25

Well, I know you've been coaching for a while now. I was actually one of the play-by-play guys when you were coaching in the JPHL a few years ago. And, of course, you were with the Edmonton Oil Kings over the last little bit. I mean, what have you learned over that time, especially with the Oil Kings, and getting used to coaching at the supreme level for a certain age group?

Ladislav Šmíd 3:49

Oh, hell, I... A little bit back, I coached my son. I've coached him since he was U9. Then I coached U15, U17, U18, U20 all the way. I believe that you shouldn't be skipping any steps. You need to learn from the youngest age what the kids need. Each age group is different. You cannot treat the kids who are 9, 10 the same way you're you know, treating the kids at the age of 15 or 18 or 20, you have to learn. And, you know, so I wanted to go through the process kind of from the, from the youngest kids all the way, all the way to junior level. And now, you know, next step is going to be a pro level, but what is the, I, I want to learn each player and I, and I know it's, it's,