Arizona State University is negotiating with Colorado Avalanche assistant Dave Hakstol to become its men's hockey head coach, according to Sportsnet. The move follows the administrative leave of former coach Greg Powers after a player's medical emergency in August.
Arizona State University is in negotiations with Colorado Avalanche assistant coach Dave Hakstol to take over as head coach of the Sun Devils men's hockey team, according to a report by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. The potential hiring comes as the program deals with the aftermath of a serious medical incident involving a player on Aug. 20, 2026.
Friedman reported on Monday that other coaching candidates have been told they are out of the running. Hakstol could take over as soon as Friday, when the Sun Devils play on the road against UMass-Lowell. Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar confirmed on Monday that the team granted Hakstol permission to speak with Arizona State about the position.
If Hakstol finalizes the deal with Arizona State, Colorado could turn to former Vancouver Canucks assistant Brett McLean, according to Friedman.
Hakstol, 58, is a native of Drayton Valley, Alta. He has extensive coaching experience in both the NHL and NCAA:
The coaching vacancy arose after Arizona State head coach Greg Powers was placed on administrative leave on Sept. 30. Assistant coach Alex Hicks, who was also present for the Aug. 20 workout, was similarly absent from the team's opening weekend.
The leave followed the collapse of defenceman Matthew Mayich during an outdoor workout on Aug. 20, which was the first day the NCAA allows official activities. Mayich, 21, was drafted by the St. Louis Blues. According to family attorney Rob Carey, Mayich suffered from external heat stroke that reduced the flow of oxygen to his brain and is unlikely to recover.
Seven Arizona State players sent an anonymous letter to university president Michael Crow through an attorney, requesting an independent review of the incident and the placement of the involved coaching staff on administrative leave until the review was completed. The letter also cited discrepancies in an initial probe by the university.
Arizona State has asked former Arizona State Supreme Court chief justice Scott Bales to lead an independent review, requesting it be completed by early December. Powers issued a statement saying he would co-operate with the review and encouraged players to be candid.
The Mayich family expressed satisfaction that the school chose Bales to investigate but argued the scope should include examining what went wrong during the workout and who was responsible, rather than just reviewing school policies.
The potential appointment of Hakstol represents a significant shift for Arizona State men's hockey, bringing in a coach with NHL and NCAA championship experience. The hiring process is unfolding under intense scrutiny due to the ongoing independent review into the medical emergency that sidelined the previous coaching staff and left a player with severe, likely permanent injuries.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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