Spencer Carbery’s name has become one to watch in the NHL, and for good reason.
On Friday, the Victoria-born head coach of the Washington Capitals was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, given annually to the league’s top coach. For Carbery, it’s another milestone in what’s been an incredible journey.
Before making his mark as a coach, Carbery played major junior hockey with the Victoria Salsa and Peninsula Panthers in 1999-2000, and later with the Cowichan Valley Capitals from 2000 to 2002. Those early days on Vancouver Island helped shape the work ethic and leadership that have now defined his coaching career.
In just his second season behind the bench with the Washington Capitals in 2024-25, Carbery led the team to a 51-22-9 record, earning 111 points and securing the top spot in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2016-17. That’s a 20-point improvement from the previous year – one of the largest in the league.
What makes this even more impressive is the way Carbery achieved it. Despite having seven new faces on the roster this season, the Capitals quickly came together, and not to mention had the global spotlight watching in on Alex Ovechkin chasing history.
They finished second in goals scored and ranked in the top 10 for goals against. With a +56 goal differential, they boasted one of the best in the league. Tough, disciplined, and opportunistic, the team recorded a league-leading 25 comeback wins. If you needed proof that Carbery knows how to get the best out of his players, this was it.
Washington dispatched the Montreal Canadiens in five games during the opening round of the postseason and is now set to meet the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Tyler Stanton, head coach of the Peninsula Panthers (where Carbery played back in the day), couldn’t help but feel proud when he heard the news.
“It’s incredible,” Stanton said. “Anytime you can have someone from the organization – let alone play at the pro level, maybe even the NHL – now coaching and being nominated for something as prestigious as this, it’s pretty special.”
Stanton, who was named the 2025 VIJHL Coach of the Year, knows the hard work that goes into coaching. He reflected on how it feels to receive such recognition.
“At the end of the day, we do so much, and it’s very humbling to be nominated for an award as a coach. To see players move forward, whether it’s to the BCHL, NCAA, or even the pro level, it’s very special. The success that started on the Peninsula is paying off at the highest levels now.”
Now, Carbery stands alongside fellow finalists Scott Arniel of the Winnipeg Jets and Martin St. Louis of the Montreal Canadiens for the Jack Adams Award. Carbery has already shown what kind of coach he is: one who can lead, adapt, and inspire.
The 2025 NHL Awards will take place in June, though an exact date has yet to be announced.
