GRAND FORKS — Dave Hakstol is in talks to become Arizona State’s next head hockey coach.
Hakstol, currently an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche, was granted permission to speak with the Sun Devils about their opening.
The state of Arizona has informed at least one other candidate that he is out of the race.
Hakstol is currently with the Avalanche in Dallas. He was on the ice for practice Monday morning.
Arizona State is looking for an interim coach to replace Greg Powers, who was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 30 as the school investigates a practice session that left defender Matthew Mayich on life support.
It is unclear whether Arizona State will offer full-time employment or an interim role.
An Arizona State spokesperson said last week that the interim coach would choose his own staff.
Arizona State plays at UMass Lowell this weekend.
The Sun Devils are 2-2, parting ways with Lindenwood and Holy Cross to begin the season with Mike Corbett as interim head coach.
Hakstol served as UND’s head coach from 2004-2015, leading the Fighting Hawks to seven NCAA Frozen Fours in 11 seasons.
He left to become head coach of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers in 2015 and has been in the NHL ever since. He also served as head coach of the Seattle Kraken and held assistant coaching positions with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Avalanche.
Hakstol was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year while with Seattle, leading the second-year franchise to one game of the Western Conference finals.
Powers has been Arizona State’s head coach for its club hockey teams. The Sun Devils kept him at the helm as they transitioned to the Division I level in 2015.
He led the Sun Devils to an NCAA tournament appearance (2019).
Last season, Arizona State finished in last place in the nine-team National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
Mayich collapsed on the first day of practice during a military-style workout. He remains in an Arizona hospital on life support.
Mayich’s family lawyer asked the school to furlough the coaching staff. After more than a month, Arizona State placed Powers and associate head coach Alex Hicks on leave.
UND’s last two head coaches were both interested in the position: Hakstol and Brad Berry.
The Sun Devils are now working to finalize Hakstol.
UND and Arizona State play once this season – February 12-13 in Tempe, Arizona.
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized four times by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top writer in the Herald’s broadcast division and twice as North Dakota Sports Writer of the Year. He resides in Grand Forks. Contact him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.
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