The Washington Capitals have named Brian MacLellan president of hockey operations and general manager. The 2023-24 season will be MacLellan’s 10th as GM and 23rd with the organization. The 64-year-old has a record of 409-213-77, which is the third-most wins in the NHL since May 26, 2014, when the Capitals appointed MacLellan as general manager.
His .640 points percentage is third among general managers with 500 or more games.
Since he took over as the Caps general manager back in the 2014-15 season, Washington has won five-straight Metropolitan Division Championships (2015-16 to 2019-20), which is a franchise record, two straight Presidents’ Trophies (2015-16 to 2016-17) and helped the Capitals win their first Stanley Cup in 2018.
Prior to getting into the business side of hockey, MacLellan played 10 seasons in the NHL. He won the Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989. The Bowling Green product also played for the Los Angeles Kings, the New York Rangers, the Minnesota North Stars and the Detroit Red Wings.
“I like the job,” MacLellan said in a phone interview with the Washington Post. “I like the challenge of it. Ex-players always say coaching is the closest thing to competing still. Even being where we are, in hockey operations, it’s competitive. It’s fun. The juices flow. So you get your fix of the stuff you kind of got as a player.”
The Capitals also promoted Chris Patrick to associate general manager. Patrick is heading into his 16th season with the Capitals.
“He’s done it the right way,” MacLellan said. “He came in and worked his way up. He tried different things and found a niche, and he’s done a real good job with Hershey. He’s done all the right things, and now he’s dealt with agents, he’s done some contracts. He’s been following the right steps to become a good general manager.”
By Jacob Cheris
View this post on Instagram