The Washington Capitals have relieved assistant coach Mitch Love of his duties effective immediately following an NHL-led investigation into past allegations. The NHL suspended Love for the remainder of the season for conduct detrimental to the league. Love, who joined the Capitals in 2023, had been on leave since last month.
The Washington Capitals announced on Sunday that they have parted ways with assistant coach Mitch Love, effective immediately, after the conclusion of a formal NHL investigation into allegations from his past. Love, 41, had served as an assistant on head coach Spencer Carbery's staff for the past two seasons but had not been with the team since development camp in July.
The NHL suspended Love for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, citing conduct detrimental to the league. He is eligible to apply for reinstatement ahead of the 2026-27 season, subject to certain conditions. No specific details about the nature of the allegations have been released by the league or the team.
"The organization is committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and accountability," the Capitals stated in their announcement.
The investigation reportedly began after teams received a letter from a woman who had a former relationship with Love, raising concerns about his behavior. This situation is believed to have impacted his candidacy for head-coaching vacancies, including in Pittsburgh and Seattle, during the offseason.
Prior to joining Washington, Love was head coach of Calgary's American Hockey League affiliate, the Flames, from 2021 to 2023.
In Love's absence, Patrick Wellar has been elevated from the AHL's Hershey Bears to serve as an assistant coach, though it is unclear if this will be a permanent role.