Hakstol Leaves North Dakota for NHL – College Hockey News

May 18, 2015

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Dave Hakstol, coach at North Dakota the past 11 years, has decided to accept an offer to become head coach of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, it was announced today.

The surprise move comes on the heels of North Dakota’s loss in this year’s NCAA semifinals in Boston. It was the seventh Frozen Four appearance in Hakstol’s 11-year tenure as UND head coach, but he fell short of winning an NCAA championship.

Hakstol coached the son of Flyers general manager Ron Hextall, Brett, from 2008-11.

A news conference is scheduled for Noon (ET) today.

“Dave brings a wealth of head coaching experience and success to the Philadelphia Flyers organization,” Hextall said. “He’s a proven winner and we are pleased to have him become part of the Flyers family.”

“I am extremely excited to be named the Philadelphia Flyers new head coach,” Hakstol said. “Through the process here with Ron [Hextall] and everybody in the Flyers organization I have gained even more of an understanding of the history and tradition of this organization and I’m very proud to become part of the Philadelphia Flyers today.”

The departure leaves a large vacancy at North Dakota, though there will be no shortage of candidates.

“We will seek the best coach for the best men’s hockey program in the country as expeditiously as possible,” North Dakota athletic director Brian Faison said. “I want to thank Dave for the tremendous job he did in leading the men’s hockey program at North Dakota. While the numbers speak to his teams’ many successes on the ice, just as important is the impact he and his staff have had on the student-athletes who have played for him.”

Hakstol was appointed head coach in 2004 after four seasons as an assistant to Dean Blais, and went 289-143-43 (.654) overall at his alma mater. He leaves as the second-winningest coach in program history. The Warburg, Alberta, native led UND to the NCAA postseason in each of his 11 seasons, including seven appearances in the NCAA Frozen Four, most of any program in the country during that span.

“I have spent the better part of my professional life with the University of North Dakota hockey program and every day of it has been a privilege,” Hakstol said. “I’ve had the chance to work with and learn from some of the best people in hockey and I’m lucky to be able to call them my friends. I want to thank the staff, players and fans who have helped make this such a special place for our family.”

UND won three regular-season conference titles under Hakstol, capturing the MacNaughton Cup as WCHA champion in 2008-09 and 2010-11 and the Penrose Cup as NCHC champion in 2014-15. He also led UND to four Broadmoor Trophies as WCHA playoff champion in 2005-06, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. Hakstol was named NCHC Herb Brooks Coach of the Year in 2014-15 and WCHA Coach of the Year in 2008-09 and was an eight-time finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award as national coach of the year.

Hakstol played at UND for three seasons from 1989-90 through 1991-92 and served as team captain in each of his last two seasons. He played in 107 collegiate games and registered 10 goals and 36 assists. He went on to play professionally for five years with the IHL’s Minnesota Moose (1994-96) and Indianapolis Ice (1992-94).

Following his playing career, Hakstol served as head coach and general manager of the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Sioux City Musketeers for four seasons from 1996-97 through 1999-2000. He was named USHL Coach of the Year in 1997-98.