NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Dean Evason has been named coach of the Milwaukee Admirals, the Nashville Predators' affiliate in the American Hockey League.

Predators general manager David Poile announced the hiring on Tuesday, saying Evason's 20 years of playing and coaching in the NHL puts the club's top prospects into great hands.

The 47-year-old Evason spent seven seasons with the Washington Capitals as an assistant coach. He began his coaching career with the Kamloops Blazers from 1999-2002.

Evason, a third-round pick of the Capitals in 1982, had 372 points and 1,002 penalty minutes in 803 career NHL games with Washington, Hartford, San Jose, Dallas and Calgary from 1983-96.