Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery showed up expecting a routine season-ending interview. Instead, he walked into something far more special.
Spencer Carbery Surprised With Jack Adams Award in Heartwarming Family Moment
On Saturday, Carbery was named the winner of the 2024–25 Jack Adams Award, the NHL’s annual honor for the coach who had the biggest impact on his team. But before the league officially announced it, Carbery got a surprise he never saw coming.
As cameras rolled inside the Monumental Sports Network studio, Carbery’s wife, Casey, and their kids walked in with a crowd of family members from across the country, all there to present him with the award. The 43-year-old was stunned and visibly emotional as he took in the moment.
Spencer Carbery got quite the surprise from his family after winning the Jack Adams Award. 🥹
Watch the #NHLAwards on June 12 at 6p ET on @NHL_On_TNT and @Sportsnet before Game 4 of the #StanleyCup Final! pic.twitter.com/gLKxCO00C5
— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2025
“I had no idea,” Carbery said, still in disbelief. “How did everyone travel here? All corners of the continent. Washington State, South Carolina, Victoria, British Columbia, Chicago, Illinois, Green Bay, Wisconsin. For them to come to D.C. and celebrate this moment with me, I’ll never forget that.”
Shortly after the surprise aired, the NHL confirmed his win, revealing that Carbery earned 81 of 103 first-place votes from the NHL Broadcasters’ Association. His team finished with a 51-22-9 record, claiming the top seed in the Eastern Conference and advancing to the second round of the playoffs.
Carbery’s Coaching Journey Hits a New Peak
The award marked a major milestone in Carbery’s coaching career and a rare one at that. He’s now the first person to be named coach of the year in the ECHL, AHL, and NHL.
In just his second year behind the Capitals’ bench, Carbery led a dramatic turnaround. The team improved by 11 wins and added 20 points from the previous season. Their offense exploded, jumping from 28th in the league to second in goals per game. The defense held strong too, ranking among the top 10 in goals allowed and the top five on the penalty kill.
Capitals GM Chris Patrick praised Carbery’s ability to connect with players and bring out their best. “The thing that’s always impressed me about Carbs is he’s a really good communicator,” Patrick said.
“The thing that’s always impressed me about Carbs is he’s a really good communicator”
Chris Patrick on the impact of Spencer Carbery and why they felt he was the right man for the job in Washington👀#ALLCAPS #TheSheet pic.twitter.com/ydRlciFELf
— The Sheet with Jeff Marek (@thesheethockey) March 4, 2025
Though the Caps’ playoff run ended in the second round against Carolina, the team’s regular-season success was one of the NHL’s biggest stories. They also led the league in comeback wins and tied for the most road points.
Carbery wasn’t one to take all the credit. He emphasized that the award represented the collective effort of his staff and players. “Our support staff and obviously our players, all those people deserve so much credit for this award,” he said.
With this win, Carbery becomes part of Capitals coaching history, joining names like Bryan Murray, Bruce Boudreau, and Barry Trotz, all past winners of the league’s top coaching honor.
