North Dakota Lose Another Piece to NHL in Hakstol
By Max Marko
North Dakota head coach Dave Hakstol instructs his players in a face-off drill during an NCAA hockey practice before the Frozen Four tournament in Boston, Wednesday, April 8, 2015. North Dakota will face Boston University in Thursday’s semifinal game. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
It was announced by the Philadelphia Flyers Monday morning that former University of North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol will be behind the bench for the Flyers during the 2015-2014 season. Hakstol had been coaching the University of North Dakota since the 2004-2005 season.
Hakstol accumulated a record of 289-143-43 during his 11 year tenure with the team. Hakstol accomplished a feat that has been done very rarely, and that is making the coaching leap from a college team to a NHL club. Bob Johnson, Herb Brooks, and Ned Harkness made the jump before Hakstol.
This is much more of a subtraction to the University of North Dakota than it is an addition for the Philadelphia Flyers organization. Days before this loss for the Sioux, the team lost their starting goaltender, like Hakstol, to an NHL job. Former North Dakota goaltender Zane McIntyre has been reported to have signed with the Boston Bruins. Sportsnet’s Elliote Friedman reported that the Mike Richter Award winner has plans to go to the NHL.
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These events are happening for the Sioux right after a disappointing season, in which the team were watching the Frozen Four on their televisions instead of playing in it. Brad E. Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herlad reports that North Dakota’s new head coach will be an assistant in Brad Berry. Will he be able to take everyone’s mind off of these unfortunate departures and overcome the disappointment from last season?