A coach with the Bulldogs who has been with the team since its inception in the OHL is leaving the team to pursue an opportunity outside of hockey.

The OHL club announced Troy Smith will step down as associate coach immediately, and will leave his role as assistant general manager later next month.

Smith, a Hamilton native, joined the Bulldogs in spring of 2015 as part of the inaugural coaching staff and was named an assistant general manager in the summer of the same year.

Before joining the Bulldogs, Smith spent nine seasons with the Kitchener Rangers as an assistant coach and later a head coach.

Hamilton GM and president Steve Staios said in a statement Smith, “played an integral part” in building the Bulldogs, adding they, “wish him well as he begins a new chapter in his career.”

Smith thanked team owner Michael Andlauer and Steve Staios saying he, “did not make this decision lightly,” and is “confident they will bring a championship to Hamilton.”