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IT’S OFFICIAL: Spencer Carbery Named Capitals’ Next Head Coach

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Spencer Carbery, no stranger to the Washington Capitals organization, has been named the team's next head coach.

The Washington Capitals did not go far to find their next bench boss.

Spencer Carbery, a former stalwart with the organization’s minor league affiliates, will be the Capitals new head coach, general manager Brian MacLellan announced Tuesday.

The contract is for four years, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

“We are extremely pleased to name Spencer as our new head coach,” MacLellan said in a statement. “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.”

Carbery, 41, spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leading the team’s power play, the unit became one of the league’s best over his two-year span up north.

Before coaching in the NHL, Carbery spent three seasons as the head coach of the Hershey Bears — Washington’s AHL affiliate — and led the team to a 104-50-9-8 record under his watch. From 2010-16, he also served on the staff of the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays, including five seasons as head coach.

Other stops for Carbery include a season as the head coach of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, as well as a year as an assistant with the AHL’s Providence Bruins.

A native of Victoria, BC, Carbery spent four seasons on the ice before starting his coaching career in 2010. He spent parts of two seasons during his playing career in the Capitals organization.

“It’s a tremendous honor and privilege to be named the head coach of the Washington Capitals,” Carbery said in a statement. “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.”

Jared Serre covers the Washington Capitals for Washington Hockey Now. He is a graduate of West Virginia University.