Dave Hakstol is coaching his final game with the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night at Ball Arena. After the Avs’ matchup against the Dallas Stars, Hakstol is expected to be named the interim head coach of Arizona State University’s hockey program, according to Brad Elliott Schlossman.
Schlossman also reported what had been circulating since Monday. Brett McLean, who played for the Avalanche from 2005-07, will replace Hakstol on Jared Bednar’s staff before Colorado returns to action Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
McLean, 48, spent last season as an assistant coach on Adam Foote’s staff with the Vancouver Canucks. He was responsible for the power play, which finished 14th in the NHL at 21.8% despite Vancouver finishing last in league standings. The Canucks relieved Foote and his staff of their duties in May.
Prior to joining the Canucks, McLean spent eight seasons in the Minnesota Wild organization. He was an assistant coach with the NHL club for three years, an assistant for their AHL affiliate for three years, along with two more seasons as AHL head coach from 2023-25.
Hakstol is in his second season as Colorado’s assistant coach. He was hired in the summer of 2025 to replace Ray Bennett and take over power-play duties. The Avalanche finished 27th in the NHL on the man advantage last season and have had a shaky start this year after going 4-for-5 on opening night.
Hakstol’s departure comes as Arizona State looks to stabilize its program amid an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding 21-year-old defenseman Matthew Mayich’s collapse during an outdoor workout on Aug. 20.
Head coach Greg Powers was placed on paid administrative leave on Sept. 30, two days before the Sun Devils opened their season.
Assistant coach Mike Corbett has been leading the team in the interim. Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said the program was looking for an experienced coach with a strong understanding of college hockey and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).
Hakstol fits that profile. Before moving to the NHL, he spent 11 seasons as head coach at North Dakota, compiling a 289-143-43 record and leading the program to seven Frozen Four appearances. He later coached the Philadelphia Flyers for parts of four seasons and led the Seattle Kraken to their first playoff appearance in 2023.
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