Barry Trotz Washington Capitals - Head Coach

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Barry Trotz was hired as coach of the Washington Capitals on May 26, 2014.

Trotz is the 17th coach in Capitals history after spending 15 seasons as coach of the Nashville Predators. Trotz replaced coach Adam Oates in Washington, who was fired April 25.

Trotz was the longest-tenured coach in the NHL and the only coach in Predators history. Trotz ranks third in games coached (1,196) and wins (557) with a single franchise. He ranks 15th on the NHL coaching victories list and fourth among active coaches behind Joel Quenneville (Chicago Blackhawks; 706), Ken Hitchcock (St. Louis Blues; 657) and Lindy Ruff (Dallas Stars; 611).

Prior to joining the Predators, Trotz spent five seasons (1992-97) as coach of the Capitals' affiliate in the American Hockey League. He was named coach of the Baltimore Skipjacks in 1992 after one season as an assistant coach. Following a relocation to Portland, Maine, in 1993, he coached the Portland Pirates to two Calder Cup Final appearances during the next four seasons. In 1994-95, Trotz coached Portland to a Calder Cup championship and a league-best 43-27-10 record; he was named AHL Coach of the Year.

The first and only coach in franchise history, Barry Trotz is regarded as one of the top bench bosses in the game today, having been a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach in both 2009-10 and 2010-11, and finishing among the top five in Adams voting again in 2011-12.

Trotz’s modus operandi is using an aggressive system based on strong forechecking and sound defense to direct a hard-working group to the playoffs on an annual basis. His mission to get the most out of his team helped Trotz guide the Predators to their third-best record in franchise history and home ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2011-12 (48-26-8, 104 points) despite starting the season with the NHL’s youngest team at 25 years, five months. Under his watch, the Preds were one of only four teams to finish in the Top 10 in both goals for (eighth) and goals against (eighth), and one of three teams to rank in the League’s Top 10 in both power-play percentage (first) and penalty kill percentage (10th) in 2011-12.

Trotz has also gained experience coaching on the international stage, serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships on three occasions. In 2003, he helped the Canadians strike gold in Finland, and in 2009 he helped guide Canada to a silver medal in Switzerland. The first time he answered the call for his nation came at the 2002 Championships in Sweden.

Trotz began his coaching career in 1984 as an assistant with the University of Manitoba. He then served two seasons (1985-87) as the head coach and general manager of the Dauphin Kings junior hockey club before returning to the University of Manitoba as the head coach in 1987. In January 2001, Trotz was inducted into the University's Hall of Fame.

During the 1987 campaign, Trotz also served as a scout for the Spokane Chiefs (WHL) and a part-time scout for the Capitals. In 1988, he joined Washington as a full-time western scout, and the next season he became the Caps' chief western scout.

Before coaching, Trotz played junior hockey for Regina (WHL) from 1979-83, capturing a WHL championship in 1979-80. The defenseman registered 102 points (19g-83a) and 490 penalty minutes in 204 games.

The popular head coach and his family are active in a variety of service and charitable initiatives in the Middle Tennessee community. This commitment was recognized when Trotz was honored with the Community Spirit Award (in recognition for community service) at the 2005 O’Charley’s Dinner of Champions, presented by the Nashville Sports Council.

Since the Predators inception, the Trotz’s have donated $500 to My Friend’s House (a United Way agency) for each Nashville victory, with donations surpassing the $250,000 mark in 2011-12. He is an active board member for Peterson for Parkinson’s Foundation, the Williamson County YMCA and the United Way. He also works closely with Best Buddies of Tennessee, a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-on-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Barry and his wife, Kim, reside in Brentwood along with their four children: Shalan, Tyson, Tiana and Nolan.