TEMPE — Colorado Avalanche assistant Dave Hakstol has been named head coach of Arizona State University, marking a return to college hockey for one of the NCAA's most familiar figures. The Sun Devils announced on Thursday that Hakstol will take charge of the programme, replacing Greg Powers who was placed on administrative leave on 30 September.
The change follows an outdoor workout on 20 August where 21-year-old St. Louis Blues prospect Matthew Mayich collapsed. Seven Arizona State players sent a letter to university president Michael Crow asking for an independent review and for the coaching staff involved to be placed on administrative leave until it was completed. According to Katie Strang of The Athletic, ASU have reached a mutual agreement to part ways with Powers.
ASU athletics director Graham Rossini said in a release: "We appreciate Dave's belief in ASU and look forward to supporting him as we continue to build Sun Devil Hockey into one of the nation’s premier programs," adding: "His success building championship-caliber programs, developing players for the highest level of the sport, and leading organizations in the NHL speaks to his knowledge of the game and his ability to develop talent." Hakstol said: "This is a special opportunity, and I couldn't be more excited to return to college hockey and bring a winning culture to Arizona State Sun Devil Hockey. Our goal is to grow a championship-caliber program, and we will." Strang also reported Hakstol has added former NHL defenceman Matt Greene to his staff while retaining Jimmy Mullin as assistant coach.
Hakstol has spent the last 10 seasons coaching in the NHL, beginning as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2015-16, later serving as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs and as head coach of the Seattle Kraken before joining the Avalanche staff for the last two seasons.
Before moving to the NHL, he spent 11 seasons at the University of North Dakota, reaching the NCAA Tournament in each campaign and advancing to the Frozen Four seven times — the most of any programme during that span. He compiled a 289-143-43 record and a .654 winning percentage across 475 games, earning WCHA Coach of the Year in 2008-09 and NCHC Herb Brooks Coach of the Year in 2014-15.