Boudreau Out

(Photo: yahoo!sports.com)

Early this morning the Washington Capitals announced the departure of head coach Bruce Boudreau. Former Capital Dale Hunter will take over the vacant position.

The firing came after the recent nosedive that the team took from first to eighth in the Eastern Conference. After starting the season 7-0-0 the Capitals have now gone 5-9-1.

Hunter has had some coaching experience. He led the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League to their first Memorial Cup Championship in the 2004-05 season. He even won Coach of the Year honors in the 2003-04 season. In 11 years behind the bench, Hunter 451-189-23-24 record. He was the fastest coach in league history to get to 300 and 400 wins.

Hunter also played 19 seasons in the NHL from 1980 to 1999. He played in 1,407 games racking up 1,020 points (323 goals, 679 assists) and 3,565 penalty minutes with Quebec, Washington, and Colorado.

Hunter begins his new career with the Capitals tomorrow night at home against the St. Louis Blues.