Announced today, Adam Oates has been named the new head coach of the Washington Capitals.

According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Mike Haviland and Jon Cooper “made impressive bids for the job,” but Oates took the prize.

This will be Oates’s first time as a head coach in the NHL, but not his first time as a coach in the NHL. Prior, Oates served as the assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2009-2010. Following this, Oates moved on to be the assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons.

Speaking of his pervious experience, Oats also has experience in the Stanley Cup Final as both a player and as an assistant coach. Oates got his first taste of Stanley Cup Final action with the Caps in 1997-1998 and then again in 2002-2003 with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Unfortunately, he finished Cup-less both times. Most recently, Oates got to see what it’s like to be in the Stanley Cup Final as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils. Though, he came up Cup-less again. Will this trend change now that he’s a head coach in Washington?

According to those who have worked with him in the past, Oates seems to be very popular.

According to NJ’s captain Zach Parise, “[Oates is] really good with showing video and different clips and teaching.”

Also, Tom Gulitti, a Devils beat reporter for The Record, reported “Adam Oates and Devils assistant Dave Barr could often be seen in locker room reviewing video with players on a laptop.” Further, Gulitti also reported “Adam Oates is very popular with all of the Devils’ players for his attention to detail. Zach Parise spent a lot of time working with him.”

Former Cap, current CSN commentator, and all-around baddass Craig Laughlin also chimed in with his oppinion on Oates, saying “[Oates] brings an unbelievably high hockey IQ & Perfect guy to take over reigns.”

Oates and the rest of the Washington Capitals organization will meet with reporters at 3PM tomorrow afternoon to formally announce the hiring.