Adam Oates and the Capitals have filled one of their two open assistant coaching positions with the hiring of Calle Johansson on Wednesday.
Johansson, 45, played with Oates – hired as the team’s new head coach last month – for parts of six seasons in Washington from 1996-97 through 2001-02. A quietly effective defenseman who still holds the record for most games by a Caps player (983), Johansson helped his teams reach the Stanley Cup playoffs 11 times in 15 seasons. He does not, however, have previous coaching experience at the NHL or AHL level. Johansson did serve as assistant coach in the Swedish Elite League in 2006-07 with Frolunda HC. Otherwise, he has been involved in broadcasting.
Johansson was acquired in a trade with Buffalo on March 7, 1989. The deal included a second-round draft choice that became goalie Byron Dafoe. In return Washington traded Clint Malarchuk, Grant Ledyard and a sixth-round pick in 1991. He is tied with Peter Bondra for the second-most most seasons played with the Caps (14). No defenseman has more points (474) or assists (361) in team history. Only two have more goals (110). He served as a scout for Washington after the 2002-03 season, but came out of retirement to play eight games for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Oates has just one position left to fill on his staff. Both Dave Prior, the team’s director of goaltending, and Olie Kolzig, associate goaltending coach, return as does Blaine Forsythe, assistant coach/video.
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