2018 Stanley Cup winners Washington Capitals decided to find the replacement for Barry Trotz in-house and have promoted assistant Todd Reirden to become the franchise’s new head coach. Capitals were without a head coach since June 18, when Trotz decided to resign from the position despite winning the Stanley Cup shortly before.
Washington Capitals confirmed Todd Reirden’s hiring via their social media.
The Washington Capitals have named Todd Reirden the team’s head coach! #ALLCAPS
Reirden becomes the 18th head coach in #Caps history, after serving as an associate coach the last two seasons and assistant coach from 2014-16.
More Details: https://t.co/MTu1CVRMx8 pic.twitter.com/Nv3xpKDWc1
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 29, 2018
“We feel that the time is right for Todd to lead our hockey club,” – said general manager Brian MacLellan in a statement. “Based on his coaching experience, communication abilities, his approach to the game and the respect he commands in our locker room, we feel that Todd has earned this opportunity. Todd has played an integral part in helping lead our team to the Stanley Cup championship and we feel his appointment as head coach will enable our organization to transition seamlessly into next season and beyond.“
Todd Reirden previously played ice hockey professionally from 1994 to 2007 and had stints with several NHL teams including St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Thrashers. He started his coaching career at Bowling Green State University shortly after retiring. He was named the assistant coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2010, and then in 2014 joined the staff of then-newly appointed Capitals’ coach Barry Trotz.
