Trail, British Columbia (August 22, 2025) – The Trail Smoke Eaters is proud to announce the hiring of Bailey Monteith as the team’s new Assistant Coach.
Born and raised in Kamloops, British Columbia, Monteith has deep roots in Trail and the Smoke Eaters family. A lifelong Smokies fan through his family’s passion for the team, Monteith carried that pride into his own hockey career as a goaltender in the BCHL and MJHL. His playing career included time with the Trail Smoke Eaters, Virden Oil Capitals, and a national championship appearance with the Portage Terriers.
After hanging up the pads, Monteith transitioned into coaching, serving as an Assistant Coach with the Thompson Blazers AAA program during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. He has quickly earned a reputation for his leadership, mentorship, and ability to connect with and develop young athletes. Those same qualities have made him a respected teammate and professional, both on and off the ice.
“I am thrilled to return to my second home in Trail, bringing my passion for the game and drive to help make the players the very best version of themselves on and off the ice,” said Monteith.
Trail Smoke Eaters General Manager & Head Coach Eric Thurston expressed his excitement about the hire: “Bailey brings a strong understanding of the game to our players and our hockey department. As a former goalie, he offers a unique perspective that I’m excited to see him share. Having played as a Smoke Eater himself, Bailey knows the rich history and tradition of our program. We’re fortunate to have him on staff—not only to work with our players, but also to connect with the great people in the Greater Trail Minor Hockey community.”
The Trail Smoke Eaters organization welcomes Bailey back to Trail and looks forward to him officially stepping into his new role with the team.
About the Trail Smoke Eaters:
The Trail Smoke Eaters are a premier Junior hockey club in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Steeped in hockey tradition, the iconic Trail Smoke Eaters are one of the most widely recognized hockey teams in the world. Having won two World Championships in 1939 and 1961 as well as competing for numerous Provincial and National Championships, the name and logo of the Trail Smoke Eaters is recognized throughout the hockey community. The Trail Smoke Eaters continue to build upon this legacy where the main goal is to add another championship win in the history books.
About the BCHL:
Sending players on to college hockey every season, the BCHL has established itself as a national leader in the development of young student athletes. Considering today’s NHL features more NCAA alumni than ever before, Junior hockey on the whole is fast rivaling Major Junior hockey in Canada as a breeding ground for the sport’s most elite and successful players. The BCHL is also a leader in player safety, with a full-time Department of Player Safety, the toughest rules on fighting in North American junior hockey, as well as a league-wide independent Safe Sport Officer and an individual Athlete Advocate assigned to all 17 teams. The BCHL is: Modern Hockey.
