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Report: Dale Hunter back as head coach...with OHL London

Washington Capitals v Buffalo Sabres

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 26: Dale Hunter, head coach of the Washington Capitals watches play from the bench against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on December 26, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

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Weeks after leaving his post with the Washington Capitals, Dale Hunter is returning to the head coaching ranks.

Just not in the NHL.

The London Free Press reports Hunter will resume bench boss duties with the OHL’s London Knights next season. He’ll replace his brother, Mark, who led the Knights to the Memorial Cup final last season while Dale was off taking the Caps to within a game of the Eastern Conference finals.

While it was somewhat surprising when Hunter abruptly left the Caps on May 14, there was little surprise when he bolted straight back to London. He’s both the co-owner and president of the team and has been named OHL coach of the year three times in his 11 years behind the Knights bench.

Over that time, London’s become a factory for first round NHL draft picks. Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Patrick Kane, Sam Gagner, John Carlson and John Tavares are all products of the Hunter-led Knights.