Mitch Love, Capitals Assistant Coach, on Administrative Leave While NHL Investigates
The Washington Capitals organization announced this Sunday that their assistant coach, Mitch Love, has been placed on administrative leave. This measure is taken pending the results of an investigation carried out by the NHL.
Love, 41, joined the Capitals in June 2023, following the hiring of Spencer Carbery as head coach. His primary focus has been coaching the team’s defensemen.
During the offseason, Love was considered a promising candidate for coaching positions, after contributing to the Capitals achieving two consecutive playoff appearances. He interviewed with several teams and was among the finalists for vacancies with the Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
According to an NHL source, the league received a letter detailing allegations related to Love’s personal conduct during the period he was interviewing with other teams in the offseason. Two of the teams he interviewed with reportedly received a similar letter. The allegations predate his time with the Capitals.
The NHL has been conducting its investigation for several months. Washington made the decision to place him on leave after being informed by the league about the allegations. The Capitals plan to start their training camp this week. The team has stated that it will not make any further comments until the NHL’s investigation has concluded.
Before his arrival with the Capitals, Love served as an assistant coach with the Everett Silvertips and as head coach with the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League. He was also head coach with the Stockton Heat of the AHL and the Calgary Wranglers.
