NHL3d ago
Arizona State Hockey Coach Departs Amid Ongoing Review of Player Incident
Greg Powers exits after mutual agreement while Dave Hakstol takes over the program following the collapse of a defenseman during a workout.
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Leadership Transition
Arizona State has confirmed the departure of longtime men's hockey coach Greg Powers after he was placed on leave. The university announced that Colorado Avalanche assistant Dave Hakstol has been hired to lead the team. Powers, who played for the program in the 1990s and served as head coach since 2010, had received a five-year contract extension last year.
Details of the Incident
The change follows an investigation into the collapse of 21-year-old defenseman Matthew Mayich during an early morning outdoor workout. Seven players submitted an anonymous letter to the school calling for the removal of coaches pending review. An internal assessment found that no training plan had been submitted in advance and that the Green Beret leading the session lacked a formal contract with the university. A former state supreme court justice is overseeing a school-commissioned review, while the Arizona State Police Department continues its probe.
New Coaching Staff
Hakstol, who coached 11 seasons at the University of North Dakota and guided both the Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken to the NHL playoffs, will join the Sun Devils immediately. He has added Matt Greene as an assistant, while Jimmy Mullin remains on staff. The previous assistants and the team's athletic trainer have been reassigned or are no longer with the program.
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