Early Wednesday, the Washington Capitals announced they have promoted Olie Kolzig and named him the team’s new goaltending coach. Kolzig replaces long-time goalie boss Dave Prior, who spent 14 seasons at the helm and once mentored Kolzig as a player. For the previous two seasons, the former Vezina winner served as associate goaltending coach, mentoring the team’s minor league goalies in Reading and Hershey.

“He played the game for a long time and played at a high level and was arguably the best goaltender this franchise has ever had,” Caps general manager George McPhee said to Mike Vogel. “That experience – coupled with his training and development the last couple of years in teaching – we think suits him well to take over the NHL club now.”

The Capitals coaching staff now consists of three former Caps players (and Blaine Forsythe) who led the team to its only Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1998.

Photo via capitals.nhl.com

Now let’s go watch Olie fight the best man of his wedding to celebrate the news.