local10
Arizona State University has engaged in talks with Dave Hakstol, currently an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche and a former NHL head coach, to take on the role of interim head hockey coach. The university is conducting an investigation into an outdoor training session that resulted in a player being placed on life support.
Jared Bednar, head coach of the Avalanche, confirmed on Monday that the organization has given Hakstol the green light to discuss the position with Arizona State. A final decision is anticipated to be made later this week.
Last month, Arizona State put head coach Greg Powers on administrative leave while it looks into the collapse of 21-year-old Matthew Mayich. Mayich is not expected to recover from external heat stroke, which caused a reduction in oxygen flow to his brain.
Hakstol brings a wealth of coaching experience, having served two separate terms as an NHL head coach. He led the Philadelphia Flyers from 2015 to 2018 and was at the helm of the Seattle Kraken from their inaugural season in 2021 through 2024.
Currently in his second season as an assistant under Bednar, Hakstol oversees the team's power play. Before his NHL coaching career, he spent 15 seasons as head coach at the University of North Dakota, his alma mater, guiding the program to the Frozen Four seven times.
Additionally, Hakstol has had two stints as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs and served as head coach of the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League from 1996 to 2000.
Arizona State played its home-opening series last weekend without Powers or assistant coach Alex Hicks, who was present when Mayich collapsed during the workout.
The university has enlisted former Arizona Supreme Court chief justice Scott Bales to lead an independent review of the incident, with a request for completion by early December.
_ See AP's full college sports coverage here.
Originally reported by local10.