Dmitri Khristich, a long-time member of the Washington Capitals and a two-time All-Star in the NHL, is taking his hockey career to Scotland where he will have a head coaching job this upcoming season.
The Edinburgh Capitals of the Elite Ice Hockey League in Scotland announced on Friday that Khristich will be taking over as the team’s newest coach.
“When the opportunity arose to sign someone with Dmitri Khristich’s pedigree, it was an easy decision to make,” said Edinburgh general manager Scott Neil. “He will bring not only a wealth of experience playing at the top level of the game where he was one of the best players in the world during his era, but also coaching experience at International level and in one of the top leagues in the world, the KHL . Dmitri and I spoke at length about our views on how to drive the club forward, and I’m looking forward to working with him over the coming months. It’s an exciting time for the Capitals.”
He is taking over a team that has not made the league’s playoffs in four consecutive seasons.
Khristich’s coaching experience includes time with the Ukranian national team during the 2010 World Championships and Winter Olympic qualifying tournament, as well as some time in the KHL as an assistant.
During his playing career in the NHL Khristich appeared in 811 games over 12 seasons with the Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs.
He spent the bulk of his career in Washington (over two different stops) where he played his best hockey.
He scored 259 goals and recorded 337 assists in the NHL.