You know what. I am actually ok with this. Brings fresh ideas and was someone who ran a successful program. I am sure Hextall did his due diligence and if people had concerns that Snider would try to buy the shiny toy with his influence I think this shows that Hextall will do things his way.
- J35Bacher

This really shocks me, but as long as the guy brings some fresh perspective and he's not an old boys club kind of coach, let's give him a chance.. I've got to look at his resume.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 46s47 seconds ago
So Hextall hires Hakstol in PHI. A path less traveled move. When was the last time an NCAA head coach went directly to NHL as head coach?

Would be reassuring for someone to be able to answer this.

Anxiously awaiting Bills assessment

lets give the guy a season...im sure detroit was like mike babcock who?
- PhillaBully

Pretty sure Detroit was like, "Mike Babcock, the guy who took Anaheim to Game 7 of the Finals 2 seasons ago."

But yes, essentially.

How many college National Championships has Hakstol won?
- PLindbergh31

All of them.

All of them.
- jmatchett383

The answer better not be (frank)ing zero.

How many college National Championships has Hakstol won?
- PLindbergh31

I'm more looking at his pro coaching experience. We'll have to figure out what type of coach he is strategically etc...

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 46s47 seconds ago
So Hextall hires Hakstol in PHI. A path less traveled move. When was the last time an NCAA head coach went directly to NHL as head coach?

Would be reassuring for someone to be able to answer this.
- PLindbergh31

I want to see the coaching staff that gets wrapped around him. You'd think they'd need a veteran coach in there to be an assistant and guide him

well hes been a winner at NCAA level. im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Im guessing to have the kind of program he did he must be a great talent evaluator of young kids. Thumbs up hextall.

The answer better not be (frank)ing zero.
- PLindbergh31

looks like he's had some success, but it's a gamble by Hextall.

well hes been a winner at NCAA level. im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Im guessing to have the kind of program he did he must be a great talent evaluator of young kids. Thumbs up hextall.
- PhillaBully

On the flyers site:

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.

North Dakota made the NCAA Tournament in every one of Hakstol’s 11 seasons and reached the Frozen Four seven times in that span, which is the most of any program in the country during that period. Hakstol led North Dakota to an overall postseason record of 54-24 for a .692 winning percentage, including a 17-11 record in the NCAA Tournament, during his tenure.

He joined the school’s coaching staff in 2000 as an assistant coach, and took over the head coaching job four years later. Under Hakstol’s watch, North Dakota won three regular season conference championships – two in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA, 2008-09, 2010-11) and one in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC, 2014-15). North Dakota also won WCHA playoff championships in 2005-06, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. Hakstol received conference coach of the year honors twice, in the WCHA in 2008-09 and in the NCHC in 2014-15. He was also an eight-time finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award as national coach of the year.

Hakstol’s program has produced 20 NHL players and a total of 46 that have played professionally at some level. His former players include Jonathan Toews (CHI) and Matt Greene (LAK), each of whom have won two Stanley Cups since leaving the school, as well as T.J. Oshie (STL), Travis Zajac (NJD), Drew Stafford (BUF, WPG) and Chris VandeVelde (EDM, PHI). He has also had seven players named Hobey Baker Award finalists, including Ryan Duncan who won the award in 2007, and 11 players named All-Americans.

I'm more looking at his pro coaching experience. We'll have to figure out what type of coach he is strategically etc...
- Hextall271

What pro experience?

- PLindbergh31

JFC haaaaaaaa

well hes been a winner at NCAA level. im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Im guessing to have the kind of program he did he must be a great talent evaluator of young kids. Thumbs up hextall.
- PhillaBully

What year did North Dakota win the National Championship under this guy?

Noon press conference

What pro experience?
- PLindbergh31

Looks like he was an assistant in the IHL. That was a pro league.

Tell me what you know about Dave Hakstol please
- funmaster18

I know nothing about. But I also know NCAA coaches don't just become pro coaches and anyone with any clout or reputation in the industry is scratching their head.

Anxiously awaiting Bills assessment
- funmaster18

Bill: The sky isn't falling

PLind: The sky is falling and its homers fault

MJL: The sky has never fallen and will never fall. Great hire. (Insert novel)

Hakstol writeup added to front section of the blog.

On the flyers site:

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
- Hextall271[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.

North Dakota made the NCAA Tournament in every one of Hakstol’s 11 seasons and reached the Frozen Four seven times in that span, which is the most of any program in the country during that period. Hakstol led North Dakota to an overall postseason record of 54-24 for a .692 winning percentage, including a 17-11 record in the NCAA Tournament, during his tenure.

He joined the school’s coaching staff in 2000 as an assistant coach, and took over the head coaching job four years later. Under Hakstol’s watch, North Dakota won three regular season conference championships – two in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA, 2008-09, 2010-11) and one in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC, 2014-15). North Dakota also won WCHA playoff championships in 2005-06, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. Hakstol received conference coach of the year honors twice, in the WCHA in 2008-09 and in the NCHC in 2014-15. He was also an eight-time finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award as national coach of the year.

Hakstol’s program has produced 20 NHL players and a total of 46 that have played professionally at some level. His former players include Jonathan Toews (CHI) and Matt Greene (LAK), each of whom have won two Stanley Cups since leaving the school, as well as T.J. Oshie (STL), Travis Zajac (NJD), Drew Stafford (BUF, WPG) and Chris VandeVelde (EDM, PHI). He has also had seven players named Hobey Baker Award finalists, including Ryan Duncan who won the award in 2007, and 11 players named All-Americans.

Bill: The sky isn't falling

PLind: The sky is falling and its homers fault

MJL: The sky has never fallen and will never fall. Great hire. (Insert novel)
- PhillySportsGuy

Bill: The sky isn't falling

PLind: The sky is falling and its homers fault

MJL: The sky has never fallen and will never fall. Great hire. (Insert novel)
- PhillySportsGuy

haha. I'm interested to see how 2Real and SSB feel on the matter.

I know nothing about. But I also know NCAA coaches don't just become pro coaches and anyone with any clout or reputation in the industry is scratching their head.
- Flyers1218

That's a quick gathering of opinions, seeing how it was just announced.

What year did North Dakota win the National Championship under this guy?
- PLindbergh31

You passive aggressive bastard