The Estevan Bears 18U AAA hockey team has released Jeff Smith as head coach.

Smith was told he would no longer be the coach of the Bears back on Nov. 24, the same day the Bears were beaten 10-4 by the Notre Dame Hounds. The team made it official in a news release on Thursday.

Smith was the team's inaugural head coach. The Bears, playing in the SMAAAHL, are 6-14-5 in their second season.

"I was shocked," Smith said. "Our record doesn't show how the team can play but unfortunately that's part of hockey. If you don't produce on the ice, you're just asking for trouble."

When asked what specific reasons he was given for why the team made the change, Smith said he did not want to comment or speculate.

The team also commented on Smith's exit in the release.

"This decision was not made lightly, however we felt this was a necessary action to ensure both the short-term and long-term success of our program," said the Bears in a statement. "Our goal of building a winning program this season has not changed, and we believe that our club can play well for the rest of this season, earn a playoff spot, and make this a successful year for the players and the Estevan Bears."

Smith spent roughly five years as a coach in Estevan, first for three years as an assistant with the Bruins Junior A team, and then parts of two seasons with the Bears. He's had time to reflect on how far he's come as a coach.

"Chris Lewgood with the Estevan Bruins taught me quite a bit. It was good to learn from him and then kind of take what he taught me and put it into my own thing. Obviously it didn't turn out as well as I was hoping with the Bears, but it was a great learning experience," he said.

"I love Estevan," Smith continued. "I can't thank Estevan, the Bruins and the Bears, and the fans, the people, everyone enough for what they taught me both on and off the ice. It's hard to leave Estevan because it was home for the last couple years, so it's going to be a sad time missing Estevan in the coming months for sure."

As for his immediate future, Smith said he has a few coaching opportunities in the United States that he will explore.

Riley Hengen will take over as interim head coach with Blake Jamieson serving as assistant coach for the rest of the season.

The Bears said the board of directors will reevaluate the position and announce a new head coach following the season.