Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek reported Thursday morning that the Washington Capitals are expected to hire Mitch Love as an assistant to Spencer Carbery. The Capitals confirmed the hiring Thursday afternoon.
The Washington Capitals have named Mitch Love as an assistant coach.
Love, who will primarily work with the Capitals’ defensemen, will join assistant coach Scott Allen and goaltending coach Scott Murray on head coach Spencer Carbery’s staff.#ALLCAPS
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 22, 2023
Love was the head coach of the Calgary Wranglers in the AHL for the 2022-23 season. The Wranglers had the best record in the entire league last season, going 51-17-3-1. Their power play was ranked 9th in the league while their penalty kill was the best in the league last season. Love, 39, was also head coach of the Stockton Heat of the AHL for the 2021-22 season.
Love, who got into coaching in 2012 following a six-year pro hockey career as a player, has had great success with the Flames’ affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers (formerly the Stockton Heat) over the past two seasons.
Love had been getting plenty of attention this spring because of his impressive track record.
**NHL Coaching Carousel 🎠 **
Sources tell me 2X @TheAHL Coach Of The Year current @AHLWranglers HC Mitch Love is getting plenty of @NHL interest, have to wonder he’s in Top Mix as next HC of @NHLFlames . @espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @TSNHockey @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 18, 2023
Love has been named the AHL’s coach of the year in back-to-back seasons, compiling a combined 96-33-11 record.
Love played five seasons in the WHL with Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Everett, the team he captained in his final junior season. He turned pro in 2005 and played six seasons between the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and Central Hockey League.
This is just about the extent that I know about Mitch Love, but GOD DAMN do I like what I see… 😆🔥 #Flames pic.twitter.com/dmaut2lv9i
— In The Dome (@InTheDomePod) May 10, 2023
In back to back seasons in the AHL, Love was named Man of the Year by his respective teams in Albany (2006-2007) and Lake Erie (2007-2008). This award is presented annually to a player for his outstanding contributions to his local community and charitable organizations.
Love’s coaching resume also includes Hockey Canada tutelage since 2015. Love has been a member of the coaching staffs for Canada’s U17, U18 and U20 programs including winning a gold medal at the 2020 World Junior Championships followed by a silver medal at the 2021 tournament.