--- title: "Seven-Time Stanley Cup Winner Barry Smith Appointed Consultant Coach for Ukraine National Ice Hockey Team" description: "74-year-old American specialist Barry Smith, a seven-time Stanley Cup winner, has become the consultant coach for the Ukraine national ice hockey team. He has already joined the team in Poland, where the blue-and-yellows are preparing for the European Nations Cup." date: 2026-11-04T20:12:08.194Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/barry-smith-consultant-coach-ukraine-hockey-team tags: [hockey, ukraine-national-team, stanley-cup, barry-smith, federation-of-hockey-of-ukraine, european-nations-cup] author: "Dmitriy Shatolov" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Seven-Time Stanley Cup Winner Barry Smith Appointed Consultant Coach for Ukraine National Ice Hockey Team ![Seven-time Stanley Cup winner Barry Smith sitting in the stands at a hockey arena](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/barri-smith-trener-konsultant-sbornoy-ukrainy-po-hokeyu/barri-smith-trener-konsultant-sbornoy-ukrainy-po-hokeyu-1.webp) ## Key Points - Barry Smith (74) appointed consultant coach for Ukraine national ice hockey team under Oleksandr Bobkin - Smith's collection includes seven Stanley Cups: five as an assistant coach and two as player development director - Smith has experience working with the national teams of Norway, Italy, the USA, and Sweden - Ukraine is training in Poland for the European Nations Cup against Poland, Great Britain, and Italy - In May 2027 in Germany, the team is scheduled to play in the elite division of the World Championship The coaching staff of the Ukraine national ice hockey team has received a major boost: 74-year-old American specialist Barry Smith has joined head coach Oleksandr Bobkin's team as a consultant coach. This was reported by the press service of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine, referenced by Sport RBC.UA. Smith has already arrived at the team's location in Poland, where they are preparing for the European Nations Cup matches. ### Four Decades in Coaching Throughout his extensive career, Barry Smith has worked through every level of the coaching and management hierarchy in professional hockey. He has served as a manager, assistant coach, scout, and player development director for clubs in North America and Europe. According to the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine, his professional resume boasts over four decades of continuous work in sports, making him one of the most experienced specialists ever brought in to work with the Ukrainian national team. ### Seven Stanley Cups in His Collection The American achieved his greatest successes in the National Hockey League. He won the Stanley Cup five times as an assistant head coach: twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins (1991, 1992) and three times with the Detroit Red Wings (1997, 1998, 2002). Smith secured two more championship titles with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015 while serving as director of player development. Thus, his collection features seven Stanley Cups—a benchmark admired even within American hockey. ### Experience with National Teams In addition to his club career, Barry Smith has significant experience working with national teams. From 1984 to 1985, he worked with the Norway national team, and from 1989 to 1990, with Italy. Furthermore, the American served as an assistant coach for the USA and Sweden national teams. The Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine leadership intends this international experience to help the blue-and-yellows prepare for upcoming tournaments and, ultimately, return to the elite division of the World Championship. ### Preparation in Poland and Tournament Plans In November, the Ukraine national team is holding a training camp in Poland to prepare for the European Nations Cup matches. The Ukrainian team's opponents in the tournament will be the national teams of Poland, Great Britain, and Italy. The next major milestone for the team will be the 2027 World Championship, taking place in Germany in May. According to the Federation, the Ukrainian team is expected to compete in the elite division at that tournament—the primary goal for the coaching staff during the current cycle. ### Complete Coaching Staff Lineup Previously, the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine announced the full composition of Oleksandr Bobkin's coaching staff. It includes specialists responsible for working with defensemen, goaltenders, video analysis, and physical conditioning. Barry Smith joining as a consultant coach marks the final stage in forming the team that will guide the national squad through the qualification and tournament challenges of the next two years. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Семикратный обладатель Кубка Стэнли присоединился к тренерскому штабу сборной Украины](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/winter/semirazoviy-volodar-kubka-stenli-priednavsya-1793822835.html) - Primary source. Confirms Smith's appointment, seven Stanley Cups (1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2013, 2015), work with the national teams of Norway, Italy, USA, Sweden, camp preparation in Poland, and tournament plans. - [Семикратный обладатель Кубка Стэнли стал консультантом сборной Украины по хоккею](https://ua.news/ru/sport/semirazovii-volodar-kubka-stenli-stav-konsultantom-zbirnoyi-ukrayini-z-khokeiu) - Confirms the appointment, specifies years of national team work (Norway 1984–1985, Italy 1989–1990), lists roles (manager, assistant coach, scout). Matches the primary source on all key facts. ## FAQ ### Who is Barry Smith and why was he brought to the Ukraine national team? Barry Smith is a 74-year-old American coaching specialist with over 40 years of experience in professional hockey. He was brought in as a consultant coach for Oleksandr Bobkin's staff to share his extensive NHL and international national team experience. ### How many Stanley Cups has Barry Smith won? A total of seven: five as an assistant head coach (Pittsburgh Penguins — 1991, 1992; Detroit Red Wings — 1997, 1998, 2002) and two as director of player development (Chicago Blackhawks — 2013, 2015). ### What tournaments lie ahead for the Ukraine national team? In November 2026, the team competes in the European Nations Cup in Poland against Poland, Great Britain, and Italy. In May 2027 in Germany, the Ukrainian team is set to compete in the elite division of the World Championship. ### Who else is on the team's coaching staff? Earlier, the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine announced the full composition of Oleksandr Bobkin's staff, which includes specialists for defensemen, goaltenders, video analysis, and physical training. Barry Smith joined them in the consultant coach role.