Tuesday Links: Flyers Hire Hakstol as New Head Coach

by | May 19, 2015

Tuesday Links: Flyers Hire Hakstol as New Head Coach

by | May 19, 2015

Yesterday was a whirlwind day in the hockey world. Early Monday, the Philadelphia Flyers announced that University of North Dakota head coach Dave Hakstol had been hired by the Flyers to be their 19th head coach. Hakstol leaves UND with a 289-143-43 record and a .654 winning percentage.

Many in Grand Forks were shocked by the announcement. The biggest shocker of them all, the Flyers and the University were able to keep this story a secret. No one from the NHL media caught wind of this story. That’s remarkable in today’s world where news comes quick and fast via social media.

After Hakstol announced his resignation at UND, associate head coach Brad Berry was named UND’s head coach a mere two hours later. (Grand Forks Herald)

According to UND head coach Brad Berry, the Flyers made two initial offers to coach Hakstol. He turned both of them down. The Flyers wouldn’t take no for an answer. On the third try, they were able to persuade Hakstol to take the position.

Hakstol becomes the first head coach since Bob Badger Johnson to make the jump from college to the NHL in 1981. (Philly.COM)

For those that are unfamiliar with North Dakota and coach Hakstol. The former UND head coach has coached NHL players Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks), Matt Greene (Los Angeles Kings) T.J. Oshie (St. Louis Blues, Travis Zajac (New Jersey Devils) and Chris VandeVelde (Philadelphia Flyers).

Here are some of the ins and outs of the story surrounding the Flyers hiring Hakstol to be the next coach of the Flyers.

Flyers hire Hakstol as new head coach (TSN.CA)

Hakstol is a great hire (TSN VIDEO)

Dave Hakstol Named Flyers Head Coach (the Hockey Writers)

Philadelphia Flyers Hire UND Head Coach Dave Hakstol (Hockey Wilderness)

What were the Flyers thinking with Dave Hakstol hiring? (Puck Daddy)

The upshot of the Flyers’ decision to hire Hakstol (Philly.com)

Flyers’ Dave Hakstol hire a shrewd, outside-the-box move (USA Today)

Flyers hire Dave Hakstol; North Dakota names Berry new coach (ESPN.COM)

Flyers hire former North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol (CBS Sports)

Flyers hire Dave Hakstol as head coach (CSN Philly)

Flyers hire Dave Hakstol as new coach: 10 takes from news conference (NJ.COM)

Flyers Take Chance on College Coach Dave Hakstol (New York Times)

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