Washington Capitals' head coach Dale Hunter not returning next season -NHL Update
After much speculation, rumours were confirmed on Monday, May 14, 2012, as Washington Capitals’ head coach, Dale Hunter, announced that he will not be returning with the team for the 2012-2013 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season citing family related
reasons.
Hunter was probably the best thing to happen over the past regular season to Washington as they were forced to get rid of Bruce Boudreau after a slumping performance. Hunter got Capitals back into the race a little late but made a huge impact in the postseason.
His decision to recall rookie goalie, Braden Holtby, could be regarded as one of his best moves for the playoffs as he led the team past the Stanley Cup defending champions, Boston Bruins, in seven games.
Capitals were determined to make a full throttle run for the Stanley Cup but their hopes and dreams were cut short by New York Rangers, in a tight Game 7 matchup in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final series.
Having a junior ice hockey team of his own in London, Ontario, the London Knights, Dale Hunter cited that to be one of the reasons for him leaving and focusing more on that aspect of his life. It was his first coaching position in the NHL, which he could
have easily gotten extended, but decided otherwise.
“This was a tough decision,” Hunter said Monday. “It always is, but weighing both sides and going home to be with the family and running the family business outweighed it. I’d love to win the Stanley Cup coaching, but even if they win a Stanley Cup next
year, I’ll feel a part of it. I’ll always feel a part of it here.”
Washington captain, Alex Ovechkin, was asked how he felt with Hunter’s decision not to return as coach next season.
“Family is always in the first position. It’s his decision,” Ovechkin said. “It’s his decision, so we have to live with it.”
Seeing how this experience helps Dale Hunter out in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and especially the London Knights will definitely be exciting seeing how he nearly led an ousted team to the Stanley Cup Finals.
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