Tim Hunter, an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals when the team reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998, has been rehired by the team to serve as an assistant to new head coach Adam Oates.
Hunter served as an assistant for the Capitals under former coach Ron Wilson from 1997-2002. In that time, the Capitals appeared in the playoffs three times, including the Stanley Cup Finals appearance, and helped the team compile a record of 192-159-51-8. Hunter coached Oates and fellow assistants Calle Johansson and Olaf Kolzig when they were players for the Capitals.
Hunter played 16 seasons in the NHL, winning a Stanley Cup championship with the Calgary Flames in 1989. He ranks eighth all time for penalty minutes, amassing 3,146 over his career. He also holds the Flames' franchise record for penalty minutes with 2,405.
Hiring a hard nosed coach like Hunter should help the Capitals with their aggressiveness and not lose the defensive edge they had under former head coach Dale Hunter.
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