Photo: UW Athletics
The Washington Capitals announced on Thursday that they have promoted Hershey Bears video coach Emily Engel-Natzke to NHL video coordinator. She is the first full-time female coach in Capitals franchise history.
FROM THE CAPITALS
The Washington Capitals have promoted Emily Engel-Natzke to NHL video coordinator, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
“We are extremely pleased to name Emily as our new video coordinator,” said MacLellan. “Emily’s work ethic, skill set, and passion were displayed in her tenure with the Hershey Bears, and we feel she is ready and deserving of this opportunity. She will be a tremendous asset to our coaching staff.”
“This has been a goal of mine for a long time … I really can’t think of a better scenario, personally, to step into.”@E_EngelNatzke goes 1-on-1 with @tarynbray to discuss joining the Capitals coaching staff. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/k6WO04kiks
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 30, 2022
Engel-Natzke, 31, served as video coach for Washington’s AHL affiliate the Hershey Bears during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. With Hershey, Engel-Natzke was responsible for producing opponent pre-scouts and coaching reports, as well as in-game and postgame video breakdowns.
The Fort Collins, Colorado native previously worked with the University of Wisconsin’s men’s and women’s hockey teams as video coordinator from 2015-2017 and as assistant director of operations/video coordinator with the men’s team from 2017-2020.
In addition, Engel-Natzke has worked with USA Hockey as a video coach for the U18 and Senior Women’s National Teams. Engel-Natzke was part of the gold-medal winning staffs for the U18 team at the 2018 Women’s World Championship in Dmitrov, Russia, and for the Senior Women’s team at the 2019 World Championship in Espoo, Finland.
“We are thrilled for Emily on her well-deserved promotion to the Capitals,” said Hershey vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer. “In her two seasons with the Bears, Emily played an integral role among our coaching staff, and we have no doubt she will do an excellent job as she takes the next step to the NHL.”
“It’s a little overwhelming, but in a good way,” said Engel-Natzke when she was hired by the Bears. She called it weird to be considered a trend-setter in hockey but said she understands the responsibility that comes with it.
“Hopefully this just opens the door even further for other women to get into coaching or get into management — really, any type of role in hockey. Because I’m certainly not the only qualified woman. There’s so many great hockey minds out there.”
Both of her parents caught COVID-19 in March of 2020. Tom Engel died at VA Hospital in Madison on April 10. He was 64.
“I know my dad would be proud,” Engel-Natzke said. “I felt really calm throughout the process, especially the interview process. And I think that was him being with me.”
I am thrilled for her. But what happened to Stretch Leonhardt?
No announcement regarding them, which leads me to believe it’s business as usual for them, no changes.
Great for Ms. Engel-Natzke! Now can we promote her to Power Play coach and move Forsythe elsewhere? 😄
oh, and am sorry to hear about her dad. I’m sure he’s proud of her
Congratulations Emily!
Congratulations Emily! Bench boss by 40!