Dale Hunter Steps Down as Washington Capitals Coach

Dale Hunter Steps Down as Washington Capitals Coach
2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Arlington, VA,

It's hard to split time between family and hockey. Luckily for Dale Hunter, he has the chance to enjoy both at the same time.

Hunter stepped down as coach of the Washington Capitals after leading the team to the Eastern Conference semifinals, saying he wants to spend more time with his family and his family-owned hockey team in Canada.

"It was a tough decision to make, but it was the right thing to do for me and my family," Hunter told nhl.com. He will continue to advise the Capitals through the NHL draft in June but he has no plan to return to coaching.

While he is leaving the NHL, hockey will follow Hunter in his return to London, Ontario. He and his family own and operate the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights.

Hunter will return to Canada later this week, where the Knights will compete in the Memorial Cup beginning Saturday

Dale and his brother Mark purchased the Knights in 2000 and have built the once dormant franchise into a junior hockey power. Hunter's son Dylan is an assistant coach with the team while his 76-year-old father Dick continues to scout.

"I guess we're all fathers and sons and husbands first, before anything else," General Manager George McPhee said. "And if we have our priorities right in this life, family comes first. Dale needs to go home."

After replacing Bruce Boudreau, Hunter led the Caps to a 30-23-7 regular-season record and within one win of their first Eastern Conference Finals since 1998.

The Capitals eliminated the reigning Stanley Cup champions Boston Bruins in the first round before they were defeated by the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the second round, 2-1.

Under Hunter's brief tenure, the Capitals learned to play a more responsible game.

"We were delighted that he could come in and spend six months with us, or whatever it was, because it was great. I'd rather have him for six months than not at all, because he had quite an impact on this club," McPhee said.

"We learned a lot about what it takes to win, and I believe we took a step in the right direction. It's a different feeling going home this year. Last year was a little bit different, but this year I think we did a lot of positives over the past six weeks," added Caps forward Brooks Laich

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