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Capitals, Hurricanes dismiss coaches

Headlines

Written by Blake Benzel

Monday, November 28, 2011 12:06

Bruce Boudreau and Paul Maurice are fired on the same morning. Dale Hunter takes over the Capitals while Kirk Muller will coach the 'Canes.

In one day, the Southeast Division has two new coaches, while two very accomplished coaches are in need of a job.

After losing ten of their last 15 games, the Washington Capitals have dismissed Bruce Boudreau and named Dale Hunter as his replacement.

Before being hired by the Capitals, Hunter had coached the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights, turning them into one of the most successful OHL teams during his 11-year tenure. Hunter compiled a record of 451-189-23-24, became the fastest coach in league history to win both 300 and 400 games, and his .691 career winning percentage is also a record.

Hunter replaces one of the most successful coaches in the regular season over the last four seasons. Boudreau guided the Caps to a 201-88-40 record, becoming the fastest coach in NHL history to win 200 games. Washington is 2-4 in playoff series in that time, but Boudreau won't get a chance to improve upon that record.

Hunter, whose number 32 sweater is hanging from the Verizon Center rafters, will debut Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.

Coincidentally, the Carolina Hurricanes dismissed Paul Maurice, who was in his second tenure as the team’s head coach, and replaced him with Kirk Muller, according to multiple reports.

Maurice replaced Peter Laviolette in the 2008-09 season and helped coach the ‘Canes to a 97 point season. After that run, however, the ‘Canes have struggled, missing the playoffs for two straight seasons and stumbling to a 8-13-4 start this season.

The changes mean that Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher is the only coach in the Southeast Division with a full season of NHL head coaching experience. Boucher was hired prior to the 2010-11 season. Claude Noel (Winnipeg) and Kevin Dineen (Florida) were both hired prior to the start of this season.