Michigan-Denver is without a doubt the marquee series in college hockey this weekend, but plenty of other matchups have interesting storylines, including Dave Hakstol’s return to college hockey Friday night when Arizona State visits UMass Lowell.
Arizona State at UMass Lowell
The Dave Hakstol era at Arizona State begins Friday night. Hakstol joined the Sun Devils on Thursday after helping coach the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night. For the ASU players, this is hopefully a step in the right direction and a chance to turn the page.
Our thoughts remain with Matthew Mayich, who has been in an Arizona neurological hospital since collapsing during an outdoor workout Aug. 20.
It’s been a trying two months for everyone in the ASU program. From watching a teammate collapse to dealing with the fallout, it’s been an especially difficult stretch for the players.
Hopefully, Hakstol’s hiring lets them get back to playing hockey while still keeping their teammate at the front of their minds.
The Sun Devils have also added Matt Greene to the coaching staff.
There’s also word that Hakstol may be looking to add a general manager-type role to his staff. If so, I have to imagine Sioux Falls Stampede general manager Tony Gasparini would be on the shortlist. He’s been extremely successful with the Stampede, who won the Clark Cup last season, and Hakstol played for his father, Gino Gasparini, at North Dakota from 1989 to 1992.
North Dakota guys stick together. So if Hakstol does add someone in a GM role, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go to Gasparini or someone else with UND ties.
