Washington Capitals assistant Mitch Love relieved of duties

Assistant coach Mitch Love was relieved of his duties by the Washington Capitals following the conclusion of an NHL investigation into his personal conduct, the team announced Sunday.

Love was placed on team-imposed leave Sept. 14, with the Capitals awaiting the league’s investigation into allegations related to Love’s personal conduct, a league source told ESPN back in September.

“Mitch Love has been relieved of his duties as an assistant coach, effective immediately,” the Capitals said in a statement. “This decision follows the findings of an NHL-led investigation into past allegations. The organization is committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and accountability.”

After missing the playoffs in the 2022-23 season, the Capitals hired coach Spencer Carbery, who then added Love to his staff as an assistant coach.

Carbery’s first season in charge of the Capitals saw them finish first in the Metropolitan Division with 111 points before losing in the second round of the postseason to the Carolina Hurricanes.

That, in turn, made Love a sought-after coaching candidate in an offseason in which nearly a third of the NHL was seeking a new head coach.

Love interviewed with a few teams and was thought to be among the finalists for the Boston Bruins’ and Pittsburgh Penguins’ openings.

The league source told ESPN that the NHL received a letter detailing allegations about Love’s personal conduct while he was interviewing with teams. Two of the teams that Love reportedly interviewed with were sent a similar letter. Those allegations are said to have predated his tenure with the Capitals.

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In response to the NHL’s months-long investigation, the Capitals placed Love on leave after the league informed the club of the allegations.

Prior to joining the Capitals, Love spent two years as the head coach of the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate, during which he was named AHL Coach of the Year twice.

Love began his coaching career as an assistant with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips before leaving to become the head coach of the Saskatoon Blades, who also play in the WHL.

His was also an assistant coach on two of Canada’s U-20 World Junior Championship teams, which won a gold medal in 2020 and silver the following year.

Entering Sunday, the Capitals (6-3-0) sat fourth in the Metropolitan Division standings and were four points behind the New Jersey Devils for the division lead. They will take on the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.