Spencer Carbery Gets Surprise of a Lifetime After Winning NHL Coach of the Year

In a heartwarming and unexpected twist, Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery was surprised with the 2024-25 Jack Adams Award—the NHL’s highest honor for coaching excellence. What he believed was a routine end-of-season interview turned into a deeply emotional moment, as his wife Casey and their children Hudson and Vivian walked in to present him with the prestigious trophy.

“I had no idea,” Carbery said, visibly moved and holding back tears. What followed was even more touching: extended family members from across the U.S. and Canada joined the celebration, highlighting just how beloved the 43-year-old coach is not only within hockey circles but in his personal life too.

Carbery’s recognition is more than just sentimental—it’s historic. He becomes the first person ever to be named coach of the year in all three major North American hockey leagues: the NHL, the AHL (American Hockey League), and the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League). It’s a coaching trifecta that reflects decades of grit, growth, and leadership.

In his second season with the Capitals, Carbery led the team to a 51-22-9 record, topping the Eastern Conference with 111 points. Although their Stanley Cup dreams ended in the second round at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes, Carbery’s transformative impact was undeniable.

The Capitals saw multiple players hit career highs, and according to General Manager Chris Patrick, the chemistry between the coach and players was key. “The way he communicates, the way he holds guys accountable… the relationship between the players and the coach throughout our lineup was excellent this year,” Patrick said.

Voted by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, Carbery earned 81 first-place votes out of 103 ballots. Winnipeg Jets’ Scott Arniel followed with 249 points, and Martin St. Louis of the Montreal Canadiens placed third.

Carbery now joins the elite company of Bryan Murray (1983-84), Bruce Boudreau (2007-08), and Barry Trotz (2015-16) as the fourth Capitals coach to win the Jack Adams Award. But this victory feels particularly personal, not just professional.

For Capitals fans and hockey lovers alike, Carbery’s journey from minor-league benches to NHL glory is the kind of story that defines the sport: one of humility, hard work, and resilience.