Skip to main content

Hershey hires Emily Engel-Natzke as 1st female coach in the Caps’ organization

By J.J. Regan

Emily Engel-Natzke becomes first female coach in Caps' organization originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

The Hershey Bears hired Emily Engel-Natzke as video coach, making her the first female coach in the Capitals organization. The hiring was announced on Thursday by Hershey vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer.

Engel-Natzke, 29, replaces Jared Elenberger, who was named the video coordinator for Washington, thus taking over the vacant spot left by Tim Ohashi.

“We’re excited to welcome Emily as our new video coach,” Helmer said. “She impressed in the interview process, and we feel the passion and detail in her work, along with her skill set and experience, will make her the perfect person to join our talented coaching staff and add to our rich history and tradition.”

RELATED: As the AHL sets sights on Feb. return, Hershey Bears are committed to playing

Engel-Natzke served as the assistant director of operations/video coordinator for the Wisconsin Badgers, where she has worked since 2015. She worked with both the men’s and women’s hockey teams for two years before moving exclusively to the men’s team in 2017. She has also worked with USA Hockey with the U18 and senior women’s hockey teams, most notably as part of the staff of the World Championship-winning U18 team in 2018.

“Emily possesses the necessary experience, skill set and work ethic and will be a tremendous addition to the Hershey Bears and the Capitals organization,” said Chris Patrick, the Capitals director of player personnel. “We feel that she will complement the Bears coaching staff to continue to create a winning culture and help develop our prospects in Hershey.”

In an interview with Sam Pell of The Washington Post, Engel-Natzke’s goal is to one day work on a coaching staff in the NHL.

Ovechkin, Backstrom don’t like to talk about themselves but praised each other after big win

By J.J. Regan
Ovechkin, Backstrom praise each other after big win over Islanders originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonAlex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom do not like to talk about themselves. That attitude is not unique among hockey players, but it is a problem when those two players each are able to record a goal and an assist in a big 3-1 win over the New York Islanders, and especially when Ovechkin's goal put him past Phil Esposito for sole possession of sixth place on the all-time goals list.Despite his historic achievement of reaching 718 goals, Ovechkin was brief on the subject following the game."It's history, it's pretty good numbers and happy to be in that category," Ovechkin said. "But just move forward. It's done, how I say it's history. It was very good match, big points and obviously big numbers."When it comes to talking about each other, however, that's when they open up."We've seen [Ovechkin] do it year after year," Backstrom said. "It's just so impressive. I think the way he shoots the puck, the way he scores, the way he plays the game is just fun to see. As a teammate, you're just enjoying every moment."Ovechkin, who sat next to Backstrom during the video conference after the game, pretended to wipe away a tear after hearing Backstrom's answer.Ovechkin and Backstrom have been one of the league's most lethal duos since joining together in Washington in the 2007-08 season, Backstrom's rookie year. But it even goes back further than that as it was actually Ovechkin at the podium at the 2006 draft announcing Backstrom as the team's first-round pick.Far too often Backstrom can get overshadowed by Ovechkin, but Ovechkin made it clear just how much he relies on Backstrom who he named "one of the best.""We start together I think to build this relationship and build this chemistry, and I think we enjoy play together," Ovechkin said. "And I think we all understand how we have to play, and if we have that joy, I think we'll have fun and it's hard to stop, especially when Nicky have the puck and he's flying out there. It's fun to watch. I just have to be open all the time and try to put a puck in. How I said, it's fun to play with him. He's one of the best."
Read Next Story

Related News

Ovechkin, Backstrom don’t like to talk about themselves but praised each other after big win

What went wrong for the Capitals in the 3rd period against the Devils?

Capitals’ Dmitry Orlov knows exactly why he is suddenly playing so well