The Washington Capitals announced on Monday that they’ve hired Dr. Aimee Kimball as the Senior Director of Team and Organizational Development. Kimball will help with player development and help mentor both pro and minor league players.
Kimball previously spent 10 years with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the last five seasons with the New Jersey Devils. She currently serves as the Mental Performance Coach for the USA Hockey Women’s National Team for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have hired Dr. Aimee Kimball as the senior director of team and organizational development.https://t.co/hzNDJjqOXY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 20, 2021
“We are excited to welcome Aimee to our organization,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. “Aimee brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to help us maximize the potential of our players. We feel her addition to the hockey operations staff will be a benefit to our organization.”
In an interview with the Washington Post’s Samantha Pell, Kimbell explained that she wants to help the players become “mentally stronger.” Though she’s not a licensed psychologist, Kimbell received a Ph.D. from the University of Tennesee, specializing in sport psychology.
Kimball: “I’m someone who can help them become mentally stronger. What I think many of the athletes realize is they often get to this point based on skill and this might be one of the first challenges they face, and it is helpful to have somebody.”
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) September 20, 2021
Here’s the press release from the Washington Capitals:
Capitals Hire Dr. Aimee Kimball as Senior Director of Team and Organizational Development
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have hired Dr. Aimee Kimball as the senior director of team and organizational development, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Kimball brings 15 years of NHL experience, 10 with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the last five with the New Jersey Devils. In her role, Kimball will provide skilled direction and support in the areas of player development falling outside the standard skills (strength, and on-ice training). In addition, Kimball’s work will include the proper formulation, accumulation and presentation of all player development related information and plans. Her work will span all phases of player development: pre-draft evaluation of players, development of players after draft and working with both minor league players and NHL players. Kimball also currently serves as the Mental Performance Coach for the USA Hockey Women’s National Team for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
Kimball earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the Pennsylvania State University. In addition, she has earned a master’s degree in sports sciences with an emphasis in sports behavior and performance from Miami University, a doctorate in education with an emphasis in sports psychology and cultural studies from the University of Tennessee and an executive MBA from the Miami University Farmer School of Business.
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong/RMNB
