May 23 (UPI) -- The Ottawa Senators have hired Toronto Maple Leafs assistant D.J. Smith as the 14th head coach in team history.
Smith, 42, spent the last four seasons in Toronto. He went 153-53-3-13 in three seasons as the Ontario Hockey League's Oshawa Generals head coach from 2012-15.
Senators general manager Pierre Dorion called Smith a "winner" in a team-issued statement.
"We believe he is the best person to drive the development and success of the Ottawa Senators," Dorion said. "D.J. is a great communicator and an exceptional strategist."
Smith signed a three-year deal with the Senators.
Smith was the 41st overall pick of the New York Islanders in the 1995 NHL Draft. He played 45 career games as a defenseman with the Islanders, Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche.
The Senators went 29-47-6 this season. Ottawa has missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons.
