Jared Nightingale is leaving the Washington Capitals organization after one fantastic season as head coach and director of hockey operations with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays.
Friday, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Rockford IceHogs, hired Nightingale as their new bench boss. Nightingale takes over for interim head coach Mark Eaton. IceHogs assistant coaches Rob Klinkhammer and Josh MacNevin will remain with the club next season.
Nightingale previously served as an assistant coach for the IceHogs from 2021 to 2024, before spending the 2024-25 season with the Stingrays. The 42-year-old bench boss also played for the IceHogs as a defenseman during the 2013-14 season and served as the team’s captain. Nightingale played 13 years during his minor league playing career, from 2005 through 2018.
“Jared did a phenomenal job with South Carolina this past season in his first campaign as a head coach,” Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. “A natural leader, Jared’s confidence and direction behind the bench has produced a coaching style that is perfectly suited to help develop and advance our young prospects in Rockford. His familiarity with the organization and our players is an incomparable asset and we’re excited to see Jared succeed in this role moving forward.”
Nightingale’s promotion to the AHL comes after leading the Stingrays to a 52-15-5 record and winning the John Brophy Award as ECHL Coach of the Year. Nightingale established new franchise records for standings points (109) and wins (52) in a single season. South Carolina was awarded the Brabham Cup — its first since 1997 — after having the league’s best regular-season record.
The Stingrays, however, couldn’t put things together in the playoffs, getting upset in the South Division Semifinals by the Orlando Solar Bears. Defenseman Hudson Thornton, a player loaned by the Hershey Bears to the Solar Bears, scored the winning goal in Game 7.
After the hiring announcement, Nightingale shared an extensive goodbye to the Stingrays on social media.
I would like to thank Todd Halloran, Rob Concannon, Jason Fitzsimmons, the Washington Capitals, the Hershey Bears for their support and the opportunity to coach the Stingrays. It was a great experience, and I will be forever grateful for my time in Charleston.
To our front office — thank you for all the long hours and the work behind the scenes. Our hockey operations staff was outstanding and a joy work with daily. Scott Davidson, Mike Hamilton, Chuck Liebenrood, Julia Phillips, Erin Lynn, Corey Halford, and Ethos Athletic Club — thank you for all your selfless work.
Thank you to the fans, your support and passion for the Stringrays meant so much to me. It was a pleasure. I know we fell short this year, but I am confident the Rays will roll out another contender this season.
Finally, to the players — I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed working with you all. I was proud of how you played for each other and put the team first. Thank you! I am proud to be a part of the Stringrays family and will be pulling for you all in your pursuit of the Kelly Cup!
Nightingale is the first coach in the Capitals organization to move on during the offseason, and he may not be the last. Mitch Love could be the next to get a promotion, as the Capitals’ assistant coach has been linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ open head coaching position. Todd Nelson, the Hershey Bears’ wildly successful head coach, could also potentially graduate back to the NHL.
