On Saturday during their clash against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Washington Capitals honored Peter Laviolette with a special video after becoming the winningest American-born head coach in NHL history Wednesday night following the 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers.
The video included Capitals defenseman John Carlson and forward T.J. Oshie congratulating Laviolette. Philadelphia Flyers’ Senior Advisor Paul Holmgren, Carolina Hurricanes’ head coach Rod Brind’Amour, and former Nashville Predators assistant coach Kevin McCarthy (now with the Capitals) also commended Laviolette on the achievement.
The appreciation comes from all across the hockey world for our head coach.
Congrats, Lavi, on the momentous achievement of becoming the winningest American-born head coach in NHL history.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/1YBKxc9DVN
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 16, 2021
Laviolette earned his 674th career win as an NHL head coach Wednesday night, passing John Tortorella for most wins by an American coach.
With a career record of 674-440-25-128, Laviolette passed Tortorella in 116 fewer games coached. Laviolette’s 674 wins rank 12th in NHL history and sixth among active head coaches. Laviolette is currently 26 wins shy of becoming the 10th coach in NHL history to reach 700 career wins.
Last season, Laviolette set a franchise record with a .688 points percentage (36-15-5), the highest points percentage by a first-year head coach in franchise history. Laviolette has improved his respective team’s point percentage from the season prior to his arrival at all five franchises he’s coached in his career. During the 2020-21 season, the Caps were tied for fourth in the NHL in goals (188) and their 3.36 goals per game average marked the second-highest average by the team in the last 10 seasons.
Laviolette became the fourth American-born coach to win the Stanley Cup in 2006 with Carolina. In his career, Laviolette has led 12 teams to postseason appearances and has an overall record of 76-72 in the playoffs. Laviolette is the fourth coach in NHL history to lead three different teams to the Stanley Cup Final (Carolina: 2006; Philadelphia: 2010; Nashville: 2017), joining Dick Irvin, Scotty Bowman, and Mike Keenan.
By Della Young
