OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators announced today the hiring of Jack Capuano as the team's associate coach. Capuano joins D.J. Smith's coaching staff after signing a three-year contract with the Senators, effective for the 2019-20 NHL season.

"Jack brings a wealth of coaching experience in the National Hockey League and is a great fit with our staff," said Senators head coach D.J. Smith. "Our goal was to bring in someone who has been an NHL head coach - Jack has that experience and much more. He's played defence, run a defence and run a penalty kill. He is a detailed, hard-working guy who players enjoy working with. We are happy to have Jack here in Ottawa to help with the growth and development of this team."

Capuano, aged 52, comes to Ottawa after spending the last two seasons as associate coach with the Florida Panthers. Before his time in Florida, he spent more than a decade coaching in the New York Islanders organization, highlighted by parts of seven seasons as the team's head coach between 2010 and 2017.

As head coach of the Islanders, Capuano earned a record of 227-192-64 and made three playoff appearances including the club's 2013 post-season berth, its first since 2007. A native of Cranston, R.I., Capuano began his coaching career in 1996-97 as an assistant coach with the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks (ECHL), before being named head coach and general manager of the Pee Dee Pride/Knoxville Cherokees (ECHL), a position he held until the 2005-06 season. Capuano has also served as head coach of the Islanders' American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (2007-10) and served as assistant coach with the Islanders for one season (2006-07).

A defenceman, Capuano appeared in six NHL games for the Boston Bruins (1991-92), Vancouver Canucks (1990-91) and Toronto Maple Leafs (1989-90). He also played in 170 AHL games for the Newmarket Saints (1988-90), Springfield Indians (1989-90) and Maine Mariners (1991-92) during his professional career.

Visit the Senators website: www.ottawasenators.com

Engage with the Senators on Twitter: @Senators

Like the Senators on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ottawasenators

Follow the Senators on Instagram: senators

- end -