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This sucks. Hunter got the team to buy into his defensive, shot blocking tactics and it actually brought some post-season success which we haven't seen in Washington over the past few years.
ARLINGTON, Va. -- Dale Hunter, the former Washington Capitals captain who took over as coach after the team fired Bruce Boudreau in November, won't return, telling the squad he wants to return to his family in Canada.
Hunter says: "It was the right thing to do."
He told general manager George McPhee of the decision Monday, two days after the Capitals were eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Rangers in Game 7.
Hunter went 30-23-7 during the remainder of the regular season to help the Capitals squeeze into the playoffs.
Playing a defense-first, possession-oriented system, Washington eliminated reigning Stanley Cup champion Boston in the first round. Hunter also limited captain Alex Ovechkin's minutes.
McPhee says Hunter "got everything out of this team that he could."
Hunter, who had never previously coached in the NHL, will return to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League as coach, the GM told the Washington Times.
McPhee said he was told of the decision at a meeting Monday morning, and that he did not try to talk Hunter into staying, according to the newspaper.
The 51-year-old Hunter played for the Capitals from 1987-99, the last five seasons as captain, and is one of four players to have his jersey number retired by the franchise.
Hunter played 19 NHL seasons and is the only player in league history with 1,000 points and 3,000 penalty minutes. His career total of 3,563 penalty minutes ranks second all-time.
Hunter coached the London Knights for 11 seasons, compiling a 451-189-23-24 record before taking over for Washington. He became the fastest coach in OHL history to reach 300 and 400 career wins.
Hunter says: "It was the right thing to do."
He told general manager George McPhee of the decision Monday, two days after the Capitals were eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Rangers in Game 7.
Hunter went 30-23-7 during the remainder of the regular season to help the Capitals squeeze into the playoffs.
Playing a defense-first, possession-oriented system, Washington eliminated reigning Stanley Cup champion Boston in the first round. Hunter also limited captain Alex Ovechkin's minutes.
McPhee says Hunter "got everything out of this team that he could."
Hunter, who had never previously coached in the NHL, will return to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League as coach, the GM told the Washington Times.
McPhee said he was told of the decision at a meeting Monday morning, and that he did not try to talk Hunter into staying, according to the newspaper.
The 51-year-old Hunter played for the Capitals from 1987-99, the last five seasons as captain, and is one of four players to have his jersey number retired by the franchise.
Hunter played 19 NHL seasons and is the only player in league history with 1,000 points and 3,000 penalty minutes. His career total of 3,563 penalty minutes ranks second all-time.
Hunter coached the London Knights for 11 seasons, compiling a 451-189-23-24 record before taking over for Washington. He became the fastest coach in OHL history to reach 300 and 400 career wins.
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