You don’t know what you got till it’s gone. The University of North Dakota is going to be looking for a new head coach. Head coach Dave Hakstol is moving on to Philadelphia to coach the Flyers. This officially ends the Hakstol era at UND.
Shocking the hockey world, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall announced early Monday that coach Hakstol has been named the 19th head coach of the Flyers.
“Dave brings a wealth of head coaching experience and success to the Philadelphia Flyers organization,” said Hextall. “He’s a proven winner and we are pleased to have him become part of the Flyers family.”
Coach Hakstol is excited about taking the next step in his coaching career.
“I am extremely excited to be named the Philadelphia Flyers new head coach,” said Hakstol. “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 announcement is bittersweet, the Flyers gain is UND’s loss. The announcement leaves many UND fans in utter shock. Obviously, the Hakstol detractors will be happy with the move, but UND is losing a great hockey coach.
Nonetheless, this isn’t the kind of news that UND fan expected this morning. Most UND fans are waiting on the news to see if Jordan Schmaltz was going to sign an entry level deal with the St. Louis Blues or return for his senior season. Now, UND fans are hoping that they can retain their incoming freshman.
Hakstol leaves UND with impressive record
Hakstol played three seasons at UND scoring (8g-36a—44pts) in 107 games. After leaving UND, Hakstol played for the Indianapolis Ice and the Minnesota Moose of the IHL before beginning his coaching career for the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL.
UND hired Hakstol as an assistant coach for the 2000-01 season. On July 9, 2004, Hakstol became UND’s head coach, after Dean Blais resigned to become an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets. This ends a chapter in UND’s history. Hakstol who has spent 15 years of his life at UND reflected on that time in Grand Forks, ND.
“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,” said Hakstol. “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.”
Hakstol leaves UND with an impressive record, 289-143-43 (.654) in his 11 seasons
Associate head coach Brad Berry is set to be named head coach at 1:00 CT Monday. Berry was rehired by UND following the 2011-12 season.
