Patrick Wellar officially hired by Capitals as assistant coach, joins Spencer Carbery's staff full time

"The Washington Capitals officially named Patrick Wellar as the team's new assistant head coach on Wednesday. Wellar, who was previously in the position only on an interim basis, replaced Mitch Love as the former two-time AHL Coach of the Year was placed on team-imposed leave due to an NHL investigation about his personal conduct in late September. Love was then fired by the Capitals a month later."

""Mitch Love has been relieved of his duties as an assistant coach, effective immediately," the Capitals wrote in a statement on October 26. "This decision follows the findings of an NHL-led investigation into past allegations. The organization is committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and accountability." Carbery revealed that the Capitals hadn't made a decision on his permanent replacement a day later. Two weeks later, Wellar's promotion to full-time is official. A member of the Hershey Bears' 2010 Calder Cup championship team, Wellar was a third-round draft pick of the Capitals in the 2002 NHL Draft."

"He had spent the previous seven seasons as an assistant in Hershey, earning Calder Cups as a coach with the Bears in both 2023 and 2024. As a player, Wellar has suited up alongside current Capitals defenseman John Carlson. He's also coached current Caps Martin Fehérváry and Dylan McIlrath. During his time as a coach, he previously worked with Carbery, assistant coach Scott Allen, and video coach Emily Engel-Natzke in Hershey. The 41-year-old has been coaching the Capitals' defensemen with Washington."

Patrick Wellar was promoted to permanent assistant head coach of the Washington Capitals after serving in the role on an interim basis. He replaced Mitch Love, who was placed on team-imposed leave amid an NHL-led investigation into his personal conduct and was later relieved of his duties. The Capitals emphasized standards of conduct and accountability in their statement. Wellar is a former third-round Capitals draft pick and a member of the Hershey Bears' 2010 Calder Cup team who helped coach Hershey to Calder Cups in 2023 and 2024. He has coached current Capitals players and has been overseeing the team's defensemen. Hershey also hired Brent Thompson as an assistant coach; Thompson previously played with the Bears, served as captain in 2002-03, and spent recent seasons as an NHL assistant with the Anaheim Ducks. His son is Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson.

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