The Washington Capitals announced Sunday that they have placed assistant coach Mitch Love on leave “pending results of an investigation by the National Hockey League.” The team did not comment on the nature of the investigation.
Love has been an assistant coach in Washington since the 2023-24 season, joining the organization alongside head coach Spencer Carbery, and primarily handles the team’s defensemen. Prior to his tenure in DC, he served as an AHL head coach for the Calgary Wranglers and Stockton Heat.
Over the summer, Love generated significant interest as a potential NHL head coach. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins both reportedly interviewed him for their vacancies, and TSN’s Darren Dreger noted he was “in the mix” during the Seattle Kraken’s search for a head coach.
The Washington Post’s Bailey Johnson reports that the NHL’s investigation began this summer when the league “received a letter that contained allegations relating to Love’s personal conduct” as he interviewed for head coaching positions. Per Johnson, the league has only informed the Capitals of the existence of the allegations and investigation: Love will not be in attendance for the Capitals’ 2025 Training Camp, and the team will evaluate his future with the organization following the results of the NHL investigation.
ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski reported Sunday that the conduct addressed in the letter came before Love’s time in Washington.
The Capitals did not announce whether they planned to name an interim assistant coach in Love’s absence. On-ice Training Camp activities are set to begin on Thursday, September 18.
