Capitals Add Veteran Coach Ray Bennett to Spencer Carbery’s Staff
Capitals Add Veteran Coach Ray Bennett to Spencer Carbery’s Staff
The Washington Capitals added a veteran voice behind the bench Thursday, hiring Ray Bennett as an assistant coach for the 2026-27 season. The organization announced the move after Bennett spent one season with the New York Islanders and previously worked eight seasons with the Colorado Avalanche.
Bennett joins head coach Spencer Carbery’s staff after the Capitals moved on from assistant coach Kirk Muller earlier this offseason. Washington expects Bennett to bring experience, offensive structure and power-play expertise to a team that continues to chase another Stanley Cup during the Alex Ovechkin era.
The 64-year-old coach arrives in Washington with more than two decades of NHL experience. Bennett worked as an NHL assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, Avalanche and Islanders. A Stanley Cup championship with Colorado in 2022 highlights the resume.
Washington’s front office targeted a coach with a long track record of developing offensive systems and managing special teams. Bennett handled power-play responsibilities during several stops around the league and coached elite offensive talent in Colorado, including Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar during the Avalanche’s championship run.
The Capitals struggled with consistency on the power play during stretches of the 2025-26 season, which likely played a role in the coaching addition. Bennett’s hiring gives Carbery another experienced NHL voice as the organization looks to maximize a veteran core while continuing to integrate younger players into major roles.
Born in Innisfail, Alberta, Bennett built a lengthy coaching career before reaching the NHL. Earlier stops included work with the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs and Moose Jaw Warriors, along with time at Red Deer College. Bennett also worked for Hockey Canada as a high-performance and video manager, helping Canada win medals at several international tournaments during the late 1990s.
Bennett’s reputation around the league centers on preparation, video analysis and offensive systems. Colorado maintained one of the NHL’s most dangerous attacks during much of Bennett’s tenure with the Avalanche, culminating in the franchise’s 2022 Stanley Cup title.
The addition rounds out Carbery’s coaching staff heading into next season. Bennett joins assistant coaches Scott Allen and Patrick Wellar, skills coach Kenny McCudden, goaltending coach Scott Murray and assistant coach/video coach Brett Leonhardt on Washington’s bench.
