Eleven days after hiring Brooks Orpik, the Washington Capitals have named another former NHL player to their Player Development Department.
Jim Slater, a veteran of 584 career NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets, will work with the Capitals’ forward prospects moving forward – mostly with the Hershey Bears. Slater recently retired after playing the last four seasons in Switzerland with the NLA’s Genève-Servette HC and HC Fribourg-Gottéron.
Capitals Name Jim Slater to Player Development Department
Slater will assist and work closely with forward prospects in the organizationhttps://t.co/kV5G68RMSE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 20, 2019
“It’s a great opportunity with a great organization,” Slater said to the NHLPA. “I’m looking forward to helping the prospects try and achieve their professional goals.”
According to the NHLPA, Slater will also volunteer “coaching services” to his alma mater, Michigan State University’s hockey program.
“One of those ways (I was effective) was to be good at faceoffs,” Slater said of his career. “It was a big part of my career. To be out there in the last minute of a game, trying to seal the win, on a penalty kill trying to win that first faceoff, I took a lot of pride in that part of my game.”
Slater joins Orpik, whose focus is on defense prospects, and Capitals goaltending great Olie Kolzig who works as a Professional Development Coach and spends time between Hershey and the ECHL South Carolina Stingrays.
After recently announcing his retirement from professional hockey, it's clear that @slaterjim just can't stay away from the game.
From @NHLJets Fan Fest to new roles with the @Capitals & @MSU_Hockey, the former player reflects and discusses the future: https://t.co/VPab3b9EqQ pic.twitter.com/7UBqqMJZsc
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) September 20, 2019
More from the Capitals:
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have named Jim Slater to the Player Development Department, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
In his new role, Slater will assist and work closely with forward prospects in the organization, primarily with the Hershey Bears (AHL).
The Lapeer, Michigan native played in 584 career National Hockey League games with the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets organization. Selected by the Thrashers in the first round, 30th overall, in the 2002 NHL Draft, Slater recorded 138 points (67g, 71a) and 407 penalty minutes. Slater spent four seasons with Michigan State from 2001-05.
Internationally, Slater represented the United States in World Championships (2006, 2012) and World Junior Championship (2002).
Headline photo: Marianne Helm
