Arlington, VA (Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals are once again going
with a familiar face behind the bench, hiring Adam Oates as their new head
coach.
Oates will replace fellow former Capital Dale Hunter, who chose not to return
to the team after losing in the second round of the playoffs.
And, like his predecessor, Oates takes the job without having been a head
coach at the professional level. In fact, Oates becomes the fifth straight
coach hired by general manager George McPhee to have no previous experience
guiding an NHL team, joining Bruce Cassidy, Glen Hanlon and Bruce Boudreau in
addition to Hunter.
"We are very pleased to name Adam Oates as the new head coach of the
Washington Capitals," said McPhee. "Adam was a highly intelligent player in
the NHL for 19 seasons. He has been an assistant coach in our conference for
the past three seasons and is prepared to lead our club as head coach."
Oates was an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils the last two seasons,
and he also served as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning during
the 2009-10 campaign.
The 49-year-old Oates was one of the game's best playmakers. He ranks sixth
all-time in NHL history with 1,079 assists and 16th with 1,420 points.
Oates was traded to Washington by the Boston Bruins on March 1, 1997 and
played for the Capitals until being dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers late in
the 2001-02 season. He was the team's captain from 1999-01.
The Sports Network