New Leadership Arrives
Arizona State University has named Dave Hakstol as the new head coach of its men’s hockey programme. The appointment comes while the institution reviews a troubling outdoor conditioning session that left 21‑year‑old player Matthew Mayich fighting for his life. Hakstol, 58, brings a résumé that includes two stints as an NHL head coach and a long history of building competitive college teams. Athletic director Graham Rossini welcomed the coach and his family, praising Hakstol’s record of developing talent and steering organisations to championship levels.
Investigation Into Mayich Collapse
The Sun Devils’ previous head coach, Greg Powers, said he had mutually agreed to step aside as the inquiry into Mayich’s condition continues. Mayich suffered external heat stroke during a workout, which curtailed oxygen flow to his brain and leaves him unlikely to recover. The university has asked former Arizona State Supreme Court chief justice Scott Bales to lead an independent review, with a target completion date of early December. Powers was placed on administrative leave last month, and the Mayich family’s lawyer, Rob Carey, stressed that the focus must stay on understanding what happened and preventing similar incidents. Carey warned that the coach’s departure should not be seen as a way to avoid accountability, urging the investigation to gather all digital evidence and involve everyone connected to the morning session.
Hakstol’s Coaching Pedigree
Before joining Arizona State, Hakstol served as an assistant to Jared Bednar with the Colorado Avalanche, where he oversaw the power play. His NHL head‑coaching tenures include the Philadelphia Flyers from 2015 to 2018 and the Seattle Kraken during their inaugural seasons through 2024. Earlier in his career he spent 11 seasons at the University of North Dakota, guiding the team to the Frozen Four on seven occasions. Hakstol also worked two spells as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs and headed the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League between 1996 and 2000. This blend of NHL experience and college success is expected to help the Sun Devils push toward national prominence.
What Comes Next
The Avalanche have already moved to fill the vacancy left by Hakstol, hiring Brett McLean as an assistant to Bednar’s staff. At Arizona State, the immediate task for Hakstol will be to stabilise a programme under scrutiny while recruiting and developing players for the upcoming season. The independent review led by Justice Bales will examine not only the workout that harmed Mayich but also the broader culture and decision‑making processes within the hockey department. Its findings, promised to be made public, could shape policy changes far beyond Tempe.
Why it Matters
The hiring of a seasoned NHL coach like Dave Hakstol signals Arizona State’s ambition to elevate its hockey programme to elite status, yet it unfolds against a sobering backdrop of player safety concerns. How the university balances competitive aspirations with rigorous health and accountability standards will be watched closely by collegiate sports bodies across North America. The outcome of the independent investigation could set a precedent for how institutions respond to training‑related tragedies, influencing policies that protect athletes at every level of the game.