Oates hired as Capitals coach
Former All-Star center Adam Oates is returning to Washington, this time as coach of the Capitals.
Oates, an assistant the past two seasons with the New Jersey Devils, was announced as the replacement for former teammate Dale Hunter.
"We are very pleased to name Adam Oates as the new head coach of the Washington Capitals," GM George McPhee said in a statement released by the team. "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 played in Washington for part or all of six seasons from 1996-2002. The 49-year-old played in 1,337 games and scored 341 career goals. He entered the NHL in 1985 with the Detroit Red Wings.
Oates was an assistant in Tampa Bay for one season before joining the Devils as an assistant coach.
