Capitals name Adam Oates 'co-coach' of AHL's Hershey Bears during NHL Lockout

The Washington Capitals have announced current head coach Adam Oates will be serving as a "co-coach" of the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears, via Kellie Cowan of CSN Washington. Oates will be joining head coach Mark French on the coaching staff.

The decision was made by Capitals general manager George McPhee, who believes this is the best way to utilize his coaching staff during the ongoing lockout and will keep them active, engaged and working.

"We think it's a great opportunity for all of our coaches in the organization to work together to learn the nuances of our system of play," McPhee told Vogel. "We also think it's a great opportunity for our NHL coaches to get to work with our young players and frankly to give them something to do. There's no sense in them sitting in Washington when they could be active in Hershey."

Washington's assistant coach Calle Johansson and associate goaltending coach Olie Kolzig will also be joining Oates and French on the Hershey's coaching staff.