THN.com/podcast. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4MzEzNTcyMDQ3MDA1MjMw/usatsi_20458265.jpg] There's a new leader in the Nation's Capital. The Washington Capitals have found their man, officially hiring Spencer Carbery as the club's 20th head coach in franchise history, replacing Peter Laviolette, who parted ways with the organization back in April. "It's a tremendous honor and privilege to be named the head coach of the Washington Capitals," Carbery said in a Capitals press release [https://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/capitals-name-spencer-carbery-head-coach/c-344654136]. "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." Carbery is certainly no stranger to the Capitals organization. The 41-year-old spent three seasons as coach of the club's AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, from 2018 to 2021, leading them to the league's best regular-season record in his final year while earning the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award as AHL coach of the year. After his successful stint in Hershey, Carbery joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant coach ahead of the 2021-22 season. With a specific focus on the power play, Carbery helped the Maple Leafs develop one of the NHL's most dominant man-advantage attacks during his time with the club, thrusting himself to the top of candidate lists for any team needing a new voice. Now, Carbery will look to turn the Capitals around in his first shot at the top job behind an NHL bench, hoping to guide them back to the playoffs after the team missed the playoffs this past season for the first time since 2013-14. With Alexander Ovechkin already at his disposal, though, Carbery will at least have some mighty fine tools to work with.
