[News] Flyers hire Dave Hakstol as head coach

[sureLoss]

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=768020

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall announced this morning that Dave Hakstol has been named the 19th head coach in Flyers history.

“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.”

“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.”

Hakstol, 46 (7/30/1968), comes to the Flyers from the University of North Dakota where he spent the last 11 seasons compiling an overall record of 289-143-43 with a .654 winning percentage in 475 games. In 2014-15, he led North Dakota to a 29-10-3 record with a .726 winning percentage and a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four.

Hakstol and Hextall.. hehe.

Interesting choice from the NCAA, UND has bee one of the best programs in the NCAA.

Not the typical big name coaching hire you would expect from Moneybags Snider.

Also Hextall's son played for Hakstol in college.

[transplant99]

Seems somewhat out of left field...no?

Hadn't heard that name associated with the Flyers at all.

Interesting times in Philly though.....this is just the first of many moves to occur the next couple months.

[Captaincanada80]

By far the most puzzling team in the league

We have 2 Superstars in Giroux and Voracek (1 who nearly won the scoring title)

Very good supporting cast in B.Schenn, Simmonds, Couturier, Read & Raffl

Not a terrible back end with Streit (9th in D scoring), Del Zotto, L.Schenn, Grossmann

And Steve Mason had another good year with 2.25GAA and 928 Sv%

What gives? The 7th worst record and 15 points out of a playoff spot. This has to come down to coaching, discipline, conditioning and commitment.

[Erick Estrada]

It's going to be interesting to see how Hakstol will translate from college to pro as we have seen a lot of highly touted junior coaches that were not up to the task. Curious hire as a lot of the Flyers best players are in their prime or slightly past it and this is one of those hires that could be boom or bust especially after wasting a season under Berube who simply wasn't ready to be an NHL head coach. Surprised they didn't kick the tires on Babcock or McLellan in hopes of turning things around quickly.

In a lot of ways the Flyers have become the new Islanders in that they are just throwing stuff up against the wall hoping for something to stick. Has to be frustrating times for one of the better fan bases in the league.

[OzSome]

Wow another rookie coach for the Flyers. Makes you wonder why this team is not moving forward even with the talents they have. John Stevens, Craig Berube and now Hakstol? Maybe they think Hakstol's success with UND will continue with the Flyers. Not saying this guy can't do it but just wondering why the Flyers keep hiring rookie coaches.

[MissTeeks]

@collegehockey: Hakstol is 3rd coach in @NHL history to get his first head coaching job straight from college (Bob Johnson, Ned Harkness).

@collegehockey: Herb Brooks was the last NCAA coach hired as NHL head coach (1987, from SCSU); already had NHL experience at the time.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

@collegehockey: Hakstol is 3rd coach in @NHL history to get his first head coaching job straight from college (Bob Johnson, Ned Harkness).

@collegehockey: Herb Brooks was the last NCAA coach hired as NHL head coach (1987, from SCSU); already had NHL experience at the time.

Badger Bob and Herb Brooks are some pretty elite company

[Finger Cookin]

[getbak]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

@collegehockey: Hakstol is 3rd coach in @NHL history to get his first head coaching job straight from college (Bob Johnson, Ned Harkness).

Interesting. I knew it was rare, but I didn't realize how rare.

Harkness was hired by the Wings in 1970 and only lasted 38 games before he was replaced.

Badger Bob was hired by the Flames in 1982 and remained for a full five seasons. He is still the longest-serving head coach in Flames franchise history (Hartley will pass him if he survives the full three years of his contract extension), and the only one to coach more than three seasons in Calgary (Hartley will join him this fall).

[dustygoon]

League needs to put a stop to this nameatism.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Captaincanada80

By far the most puzzling team in the league

We have 2 Superstars in Giroux and Voracek (1 who nearly won the scoring title)

Very good supporting cast in B.Schenn, Simmonds, Couturier, Read & Raffl

Not a terrible back end with Streit (9th in D scoring), Del Zotto, L.Schenn, Grossmann

And Steve Mason had another good year with 2.25GAA and 928 Sv%

What gives? The 7th worst record and 15 points out of a playoff spot. This has to come down to coaching, discipline, conditioning and commitment.

I would argue their backend is terrible. Bottom 5 in the league.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I would argue their backend is terrible. Bottom 5 in the league.

yup. Lots of great young talent coming through the ranks though (Morin, Sanheim, Gostisbehere).

[Locke]

I find this perplexing.

[Vinny01]

This was a team I thought Babcock would have had serious interest. A lot of star players in their prime and good young talent.

[getbak]

11 seasons as the head coach at UND. They made it to the NCAA Tournament (top 16) every season, and made it to the Frozen Four 7 times. Of those 7 times, they only advanced to the National Championship game once, losing to Denver in 2005.

Many years of success, a few deep runs, and even a chance at a championship, but unable to win it all...Yup, sounds like a perfect fit in Philly.

[JonDuke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Hakstol and Hextall.. hehe.

Love how much confusion this will cause.

[Dion]

Hakstol is the first coach to be hired directly from the College since the Flames signing of Badger Bob Johnson in the early 80's. Before that it was Ned Harkness who was hired by the Red Wings in the 70's.

[browna]

A GM only has so many hirings, so Hextall knows what he's doing. But yeah, with Snider, feet will be held to the fire if they guy doesn't get results (coaches fault or not) and the automatic assumption will be is that he is not ready for the jump.

Transition from college to pro in any sport is large for a coach, which is why it's not done often, or, successfully a lot. You go from a full on teacher with kids listening to your every word to pros where you have to be a baby sitter to inattentive millionaires (at worst) or at best, less teaching and more game and personality managing.

His assistants will be key.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by getbak

Many years of success, a few deep runs, and even a chance at a championship, but unable to win it all...Yup, sounds like a perfect fit in Philly.

Yeah too much post season success to draw interest from the Sharks.

Seriously though, the Flyers have as good of U26 talent and depth up front to match anyone in the NHL. There likely is a bit more to come from the Flyers in terms of moves.