Carbery hired as coach of Capitals, replaces Laviolette

Spencer Carbery was named coach of the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

The 41-year-old, who replaces Peter Laviolette, will lead a team for the first time in the NHL. He was an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs the past two seasons after coaching the Capitals' American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey the previous three.

"It's a tremendous honor and privilege to be named the head coach of the Washington Capitals," Carbery said. "I would like to thank the Capitals organization for affording me the opportunity to lead this team. I look forward to working with this group of talented players and building upon the winning culture in place. I would also like to thank the Toronto Maple Leafs organization for all their support over the past two years and wish them all the best in the future."

The Maple Leafs were second in the NHL on the power play (26.6 percent), behind the Edmonton Oilers (29.4 percent), during Carbery's tenure. They were second on the man-advantage this season (26.0 percent) after leading the League last season (27.3 percent). The Capitals' power play was 16th in the NHL this season (21.2 percent) and 23rd last season (18.8 percent) despite having Alex Ovechkin, who holds the NHL record with 299 power-play goals.

Washington (35-37-10) failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season for first time since 2013-14. Laviolette left on April 14 after three seasons.

Carbery was 104-50-9-8 at Hershey, winning the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award as AHL coach of the year in 2021 after the Bears finished first in the league with a .758 points percentage (24-7-2-0).

After he retired as a player in 2010, Carbery was named an assistant for South Carolina of the ECHL. He took over as coach the following season, going 207-115-38 and guiding the Stingrays to the playoffs in each of his five seasons. He won the John Brophy Award as ECHL coach of the year in 2013-14 after South Carolina went 43-23-6.

"We are extremely pleased to name Spencer as our new head coach," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. "Spencer is one of the best young coaches in the game who's had success at every level at which he has coached. We feel his leadership, communication skills, ability to develop players and familiarity with our organization will be a tremendous asset as he makes this next step in his coaching career."

Four NHL teams remain without a coach: the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers.

Photo courtesy:Jess Rapfogel/Washington Capitals