The Worcester Railers and head coach Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman agreed to mutually part ways on Tuesday. Smotherman’s time in Worcester was less than satisfactory, and it was time to make a change in that regard. The Railers look to better their team and it was in their best interest to look at other options. For now, the team will remain coachless.
Smotherman was the head coach and general manager for the New York Islanders ECHL affiliate from 2022-2024. He posted a 66-66-9-3 record in three seasons. He had a fifth-place finish in the North Division twice. Smotherman also played for the Railers during the 2021-22 season. He set a franchise record in goals for a single season with 30. He was able to snatch the head coaching job the season later where the team thought he would be the guy to lead the charge.
Unfortunately, someone has to take the blame for the lack of success, and that happened to be Smotherman, where the Railers look to build a winning culture. The Railers came up short in the final weekend of the season for the second straight year when it was all but certain for the team to lock up a Kelly Cup Playoff spot and many fans believe it was partly Smotherman’s leadership at fault. Smotherman has the hockey background to continue to be a head coach in the ECHL, and he will find a coaching gig somewhere, and it just so happens it won’t be in Worcester.
