HERSHEY -- Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates will share head coaching duties of the Hershey Bears with Mark French during the National Hockey League lockout.
Oates, Capitals' assistant coach Calle Johansson and associate goaltending coach Olie Kolzig were all on the ice with the Bears this morning at GIANT Center on the first day of Hershey's training camp.
“We think it’s a great opportunity for all of our coaches in the organization to work together to learn the nuances of our system of play,” Washington general manager George McPhee told the Capitals' website. “We also think it’s a great opportunity for our NHL coaches to get to work with our young players and frankly to give them something to do.
"There’s no sense in them sitting in Washington when they could be active in Hershey.”
Larry Courville, head coach of the Capitals’ new ECHL Reading affiliate, also attended the camp. Washington's assistant coaches will likely help Courville and the Royals, as well.
Oates was hired as Washingon's head coach in June.
