The Washington Capitals fired assistant coach Mitch Love on Sunday following an NHL investigation into his conduct during recent interviews with other teams, the franchise announced.
The Capitals suspended him last month after league officials opened their investigation. The NHL suspended him for the remainder of the season.
“This decision follows the findings of an NHL-led investigation into past allegations,” the Capitals said in a statement. “The organization is committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and accountability.”
The Capitals and NHL officials have not provided any information on the nature of the allegations. The NHL said Love was suspended for conduct detrimental to the league, pending what it called a thorough investigation. Love is eligible to apply for reinstatement for the 2026-27 season, subject to certain conditions.
Love was hired by Capitals coach Spencer Carbery ahead of the 2023-24 season. He was previously a minor-league defenseman known as an enforcer, recording an impressive 34 fights during the 2008-09 season.
He later worked as the coach of the WHL Saskatoon Blades and the AHL Stockton Heat.
Love became a popular name on the carousel of NHL head-coaching jobs this offseason, interviewing for openings with the Seattle Kraken, Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins over the summer.
ESPN reported that the NHL and two teams received letters about Love’s “conduct” that prompted the investigation. The situation occurred before Love joined the Capitals, according to the report.
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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