Arizona State University has appointed former NHL head coach Dave Hakstol to lead its men’s ice hockey programme, bringing an experienced coach to Tempe after a turbulent start to the 2026-27 season.
Hakstol, 58, joins the Sun Devils from the Colorado Avalanche, where he had been an assistant coach. The five-year agreement is subject to approval by the Arizona Board of Regents, according to local reports. ([thesundevils.com](https://thesundevils.com/news/2026/10/15/hockey-names-dave-hakstol-head-coach))
He replaces Greg Powers, who was placed on administrative leave after Arizona State player Matthew Mayich collapsed during an off-season training session. Mike Corbett had been serving as interim head coach.
Dave Hakstol returns to college hockey
Hakstol returns to the NCAA ranks after a decade in the NHL. He spent 11 seasons as head coach of the University of North Dakota, recording 289 victories and taking the programme to seven Frozen Four appearances in 11 successive NCAA tournament campaigns.
He later coached the Philadelphia Flyers and became the first head coach in Seattle Kraken history. Hakstol guided Seattle to the play-offs in its second NHL season and most recently worked on Jared Bednar’s staff in Colorado.
Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said Hakstol’s record in developing players and building successful teams made him a strong fit for the programme.
“We welcome Dave Hakstol and his family to Arizona State University,” Rossini said. “His success building championship-calibre programmes, developing players for the highest level of the sport, and leading organisations in the NHL speaks to his knowledge of the game and his ability to develop talent.”
Hakstol said he was excited to return to college hockey and set out to build a championship-calibre team in Tempe. He is expected to meet the players on Thursday before taking charge of the Sun Devils’ games at UMass Lowell on Friday and Saturday. Arizona State entered the appointment with a 2-2 record. ([thesundevils.com](https://thesundevils.com/news/2026/10/15/hockey-names-dave-hakstol-head-coach))
Former Los Angeles Kings player and assistant coach Matt Greene is expected to join Hakstol’s staff, while Jimmy Mullin is set to remain from the previous coaching team, according to local reports. ([arizonasports.com](https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/arizona-state/asu-dave-hakstol-matthew-mayich-official))
Mayich, a 21-year-old defenceman, collapsed on August 20 during the team’s first official practice of the season. The outdoor workout was led by a former Green Beret at Sun Angel Stadium.
Mayich’s family has said his condition has not improved and that he remains in a coma. Powers was placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, while Arizona State later confirmed that the university and Powers had agreed to part ways.
