Recently hired Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates will co-coach the club’s AHL farm team during the NHL lockout.

The Capitals announced on Sunday that Oates will join Mark French on the bench with the Hershey Bears.

Oates, who spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, was hired by the Capitals on June 26 after Dale Hunter resigned.

The 49-year-old Oates had 341 goals and 1,079 assists in 19 seasons in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers. He will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame later this year.