Laviolette named Capitals head coach

Former Wheeling Nailers' head coach Peter Laviolette has been named the new head coach for the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals.

Laviolette led the Nailers to a 37-24-9 record in his one season as an ECHL coach in 1997-98. Wheeling advanved to the Northern Conference Finals where the Nailers fell to the eventual Kelly Cup champion Hampton Roads Admirals.

Laviolette has compiled an NHL career coaching record of 637-425-25-123 with the New York Islanders, Carolina, Philadelphia and Nashville. He ranks second in wins among U.S. born coaches and 16th in NHL history.

In 2006, he led the Hurricans to the Stanley Cup title, becoming the first former ECHL coach to led a team to the championship. He has also reached the Stanley Cup Final with the Flyers in 2010 and the Predators in 2017.