WASHINGTON - The Washington Capitals announced Friday that Todd Reirden will become head coach of the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
Reirden emerged as the favorite to become the franchise's 18th head coach in team history when Barry Trotz resigned.
Todd Reirden inherits a team that had the best record in hockey over the last four seasons. The Caps averaged over 50 wins in that span, winning two President's Trophies for having the league's best regular season record, and won the franchise's first Stanley Cup.
Reirden has spent the last four seasons in Washington as an assistant coach under Trotz, including the last two as an associate coach.
Todd Reirden was speculated to be the future head coach of the Capitals, even while Barry Trotz was still leading the team.
According to reports, Washington denied other teams the ability to interview Reirden after the 2017 season.
Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan said the team was grooming Todd Reirden to be a head coach, and that time is now.
Prior to his stint as an assistant coach in Washington, the new Caps head coach was an assistant coach in Pittsburgh, and at Bowling Green State University.
Reirden played parts of five seasons in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Atlanta Thrashers, and Phoenix Coyotes from 1998-2004.
