After spending seven seasons as an assistant to three difference Capitals head coaches (Glen Hanlon, Bruce Boudreau, and Dale Hunter), Dean Evason has left Washington to take over as the head coach of the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals, the farm team of the Nashville Predators.
Evason played parts of two seasons with the Capitals between 1983 and 1985. By joining the Nashville organization, Evason is reunited with former Capitals General Manager David Poile, who held that title from 1982 to 1997, when he was succeeded by George McPhee.
Evason had been named by some as a potential candidate to succeed Hunter as Washington's head coach. However, McPhee seemed to throw cold water on that possibility Thursday when he said that Evason and fellow assistant coach Jim Johnson would "probably not" be back with the team.
But Evason's most memorable moment in Washington likely came when his voice was featured on the first episode of HBO's 24/7: Penguins vs. Capitals in 2010. In the clip below, he can be heard telling his players to "grab their sack and compete" during the intermission of a 7-0 loss to the New York Rangers.
So long, Dean, and we hope to see you soon.
WARNING: Bad words ahead.