Dave Hakstol coached the Seattle Kraken from 2021-24. Eddie Olczyk talked about him – and the next two Seattle coaches – on Kraken TV from 2022-26. Olczyk has new TV gig in his Chicago hometown, and Hakstol is close to relocating to Joey Daccord’s old stomping ground.
Daccord tended goal in college at Arizona State for three seasons starting in 2016. More recently, the Sun Devils hockey program has faced tragedy and controversy. A 21-year-old ASU defenseman, Matthew Mayich, collapsed from heat stroke during an outdoor workout on Aug. 20. ESPN.com reports that Mayich “is unlikely to recover, according to his family’s attorney.”
Sun Devils hockey coach Greg Powers was only placed on administrative leave after seven players wrote an unsigned letter to the school’s president, claiming coaches didn’t permit water breaks despite nearly 90-degree temperatures.
Kraken Coach May Be Heading Back To College
Former Kraken coach Dave Hakstol, right, celebrating a playoff series win on the Avs bench.
ASU has turned to Hakstol, currently an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche. “We’ve granted him permission to talk,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said on Monday. “Let him feel it out, and we’ll go from there.”
If Hakstol and the university can come to terms, an announcement could be made this week. Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman posted, “Definitely momentum for Dave Hakstol to take over as head coach at Arizona State as soon as their next game – which is Friday.”
Hakstol previously coached college hockey at North Dakota (2004-15), before taking NHL head coaching jobs with the Flyers and Kraken.
Edzo Back On Air In Chitown
It was only a matter of time before Olczyk returned to local NHL television. “Edzo” resigned from Kraken Hockey Network duties at the end of last season, expressing a desire to spend more time near his Chicago home.
His new twin assignments for the Blackhawks will allow him to do that. Job one is serving as a team ambassador.
A native of the city, Olczyk has strong ties to the team. As a 1st round draft choice of the Blackhawks in 1984, he played the first three, and final two, of a 16-year NHL career in the Windy City. He and Pat Foley then became a beloved broadcast duo on Hawks telecasts from 2006-22.
A contract disagreement became Kraken fans’ good luck, as Olczyk formed as popular a local partnership with John Forslund as he had with Foley. However, after Olczyk left the Kraken, talks with the Blackhawks resumed – and apparently went better than they had in 2022.
Job two will be hosting select Saturday Hawks games for Chicago Sports Network. He announced his return in an Instagram post (image at right). “Yes, it’s me. A little bit older. A little bit more wiser. A little bit more experienced. Great to be back.”
Olczyk, who just turned 60, continues to call national TV games, sometimes with Forslund, for TNT.
Earlier Kraken:
— All 4 Lines Score as Kraken “Upset” Capitals 5-3
Earlier Canucks:
— Rangers Crush Canucks 6-2; Kartye With 2 NYR Goals