Washington Capitals Get New Goal Tending Coach for 2009-2010

Sports Betting News - August 13th, 2009 - Written by Glen

Dave Prior, the Goal Tending Coach that helped bring the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the '08-'09 season retired after twelve years of service to reportedly spend more time with his family. To replace Prior, the Caps brought on Arturs Irbe of Latvia as their new Goal coach. The announcement was made on August 13th by VP and GM George McPhee.

Irbe has experience on the ice, as he was brought into the NFL through the 10th round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He was with the Minnesota North Stars, but ended up with the San Jose Sharks. With the Sharks he ran 74 games and spent over 4,400 minutes on the ice. His highest save percentage took place during the '98-'99 season, where he ran at .923. Throughout his career he played for San Jose, Dallas, Vancouver, and Carolina. Irbe comes full circle with the Capitals, as he had played with assistant coach Dean Evason for the Sharks between '91 and '93.

Ibre, a native of Latvia, served as a goal tending coach for the Kontinental Hockey League, where he worked with the Latvian national hockey team. He represented them for five years in the Oylmpics. Irbe ran 568 games in his NHL career, with 218 wins and 236 losses. Irbe had also played professionally in Europe for a brief time after retiring from the NHL. He had spent six games with the HK Nitra between '06 and '07.

The Capitals made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2008-09, and are hopeful for a reprieve in the next season. With new blood on the coaching staff, Ovechkin and the Capitals may be able to push toward the Cup once more, and perhaps take glory this year. The tutelage of Ibre may make a major difference by aiding the goal tenders under the Washington banner.

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