Adam Oates hired as Capitals coach

Team announces hiring of New Jersey Devils assistant, who spent six years in Washington as a player and on Tuesday was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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June 27, 2012

Adam Oates, left, and General Manager George McPhee shake hands during a news conference at the Verizon Center, where Oates was introduced as the Capitals new head coach.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

June 27, 2012

The Capitals' new head coach Adam Oates speaks during a news conference in Washington.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

June 27, 2012

Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, left, shares a laugh with Oates at the news conference.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Adam Oates, 49, was an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils each of the past two seasons. During his time with the Devils, Oates was responsible for the power play and also played an important role in helping Russian star Ilya Kovalchuk develop a two-way game.

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

Oates has no prior head coaching experience at any level on his resume, but his stock as a potential candidate rose this past spring as the Devils advanced to the Stanley Cup final. He has spent a total of three years as an assistant coach in the NHL, serving in Tampa Bay in 2009-10 and each of the past two seasons in New Jersey.

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

Oates rushes the net against the Penguins in 2001. He played for the Capitals from 1997-2002 and was named captain for the 1999-2000 season.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Oates recorded 1,420 points in 1,337 games over a 19-year NHL career that saw him play for the Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Edmonton Oilers.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Before Tuesday's election to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Oates was the only player ranked in the top 10 (sixth) in career assists not to be enshrined.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Oates moves in to score on Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo in 2002.

Nick Wass / Associated Press

The Capitals traded Oates, right, to Philadelphia in March 2002 in exchange for goaltending prospect Maxime Ouellet and first-, second- and third-round draft picks.

Nick Wass / Associated Press

Peter Bondra and Oates celebrate a goal in 1999.

Rick Bowmer / The Washington Post

Oates is shown as a member of the Anaheim Ducks in 2003. He played in his second Stanley Cup final with the Ducks but they lost to the Devils in seven games.

Mike Blake / Reuters

In a conference call Tuesday, Oates acknowledged he'd had a pretty good day, between getting the Capitals coaching job and being elected to the Hall of Fame. "Absolutely fantastic day. I don’t know if that’s happened before," Oates said. "I’ve got to go out and play lotto, I think. Just two huge honors."

Kevork Kjansezian / Associated Press

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