The Clarkson University Hockey program has announced the hiring of Jason Smits as the Golden Knights' new equipment manager.

Smits comes to Clarkson after serving as the equipment manager for the United States Hockey League's Muskegon Lumberjacks the past six seasons.

The Moline, Ill., native also served as the equipment manager for the U.S. Junior Select Teams at the 2014 and 2015 World Junior A Challenges in Kindersley, Saskatchewan and Ontario, Canada, respectively. Smits has been involved with USA Hockey at the 2014 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo, N.Y. and for the USNTDP Under-18 Team that captured first place with a perfect 3-0-0-0 record during the 2014 Four Nations Tournament held out in Sandsvall, Sweden.

Smits also worked at the Quad City Sports Center – now named The River's Edge - in Davenport, Iowa, for six years as the Olympia driver and senior guard. He also served as an assistant coach from 2007-2010 for the Quad City Blues' prep program. He has also helped out with the Quad City Mallards of the CHL.

Smits played hockey on the Midget Major level and served as a head coach on said level from 2004-07.

Smits and his wife, Crystal, have two children, Delaney and Oliver.