The Washington Capitals Announce Leave of Absence for Assistant Coach Mitch Love
The Washington Capitals have announced that assistant coach Mitch Love will be on a leave of absence as they await the findings of an NHL investigation. The decision was made known on Sunday, with the team indicating that this leave is a direct result of allegations concerning Love’s off-ice behavior, which reportedly surfaced during the recent coaching search period.
Love, 41, joined the Capitals’ coaching staff in June 2023, after head coach Spencer Carbery‘s appointment, and has focused primarily on guiding the team’s defensemen.
Background and Previous Coaching Experience
Prior to his time with the Capitals, Love garnered significant attention in the coaching community after leading the team to successive playoff appearances. His impressive track record allowed him to draw interest from several NHL teams during the offseason, with reports suggesting he was a top candidate for coaching positions with both the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins. Allegations concerning his personal conduct, which preceded his current role with the Capitals, were reportedly communicated to the NHL and also shared with some of the teams that interviewed him.
The league’s investigation has been ongoing for several months, and the Capitals opted to place Love on leave following discussions with NHL officials about the serious nature of the allegations. As the team prepares to commence training camp this week, they have indicated they will not provide additional comments until the investigation concludes.
Before his tenure with the Capitals, Love held various coaching positions, including stints as an assistant with the Everett Silvertips and a head coach with the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League, as well as the AHL’s Stockton Heat and Calgary Wranglers.
Implications for the NHL and Team Management
The developments surrounding Love highlight the challenges organizations face regarding personnel management and allegations of misconduct, particularly as the NHL navigates its investigations and the upcoming season.
