May 29, 2008
Hastings Tabbed as Minnesota Assistant
CHN Staff Report
MINNEAPOLIS — Mike Hastings, who has the most coaching wins in the history of the United States Hockey League, has been named new assistant coach at Minnesota.
Hastings replaces Mike Guentzel, who left last month. He said in a statement he wanted to spend more time with his family, though published reports in Minneapolis suggested he was pushed out the door by head coach Don Lucia.
Hastings just led the Omaha Lancers to this year's USHL title — the Clark Cup — and national junior hockey championships. He was 529-210-56 record in 14 seasons as the team's head coach. Hastings had just stepped down as the team's coach to become its president.
"After a month-long search and talking to numerous people, I believe Mike Hastings is the right fit for Gopher hockey," Lucia said. "He is a former defenseman who has established himself by winning over 70 percent of his games over the last 14 years in the USHL. Mike has recruiting contacts all over North America, but his ties with the USHL will prove invaluable to our program."
Hastings never had a losing season in Omaha and was the USHL Coach of the Year in 1996-97 and 2001-02. Also the team's general manager, Hastings won the league's General Manager of the Year award five times in 1996-97, 2001-02, 2004-05, 2006-07 and 2007-08.
"Mike is from Minnesota and knows the culture of our state and certainly the pride fans have for Gopher hockey," Lucia said. "I wanted someone who was experienced as a coach and recruiter and Mike has a proven record of success in both. I have been recruiting players from Omaha for 14 years and they are always well-prepared for college on and off the ice. Mike is a demanding coach who will leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of excellence."
"I've been fortunate to have spent the time I had in Omaha," Hastings said. "The idea of getting back to the college game is exciting. I know that, going forward, I've always supported our guys moving on and I know the players and staff here feel the same way."
Hastings has coached numerous players who went on to play at Minnesota, including Evan Kaufmann, Mike Howe and Tony Lucia from the 2007-08 Gophers. Incoming players Nico Sacchetti and Nick Larson also played under Hastings in Omaha as well as former Gopher standouts Keith Ballard and Grant Potulny.
"I really enjoyed my time with him and I think he's a good fit," Ballard said. "He's a proven winner and a passionate coach and I think he'll do a great job."
Hastings was an assistant coach for the U.S. national junior team in 2003 and 2005 at the World Junior Championship. He also guided the USA Hockey junior select team to its first-ever gold medal at the Viking Cup in 2000 after leading the team to a silver medal finish in 1996.
A Crookston, Minn. native, Hastings attended St. Cloud State University.
"I grew up in the state and saw firsthand the pride of Gopher hockey in Minnesota," Hastings said. "To be a part of that is a unique opportunity and will make me proud to go to work every day. It's something that our entire family is excited about."
As if it really matters, they're still going to get worked over by the Sioux!
May 29 2008, 10:54 am by D-Man, Denver
Pretty funny since I wouldn't exactly say the Sioux worked over the Gophers last season.
May 29 2008, 12:50 pm by 6>1
Worked over by the sioux? Give me a break. I am not saying the Gophers will beat the crap out of the sioux, but with the players that the Gophers have coming in and coming back I think that the Gophers have the upper hand on talent. And Mike Hastings is a really good fit for this team. I can't wait for the season to start.
May 29 2008, 4:45 pm by
Hastings is a sawwed-off Napolean and his act of bullying players around to get them to play will wear thin on players during four years there. He should fit right in with the coaches on that staff with his antics!
May 29 2008, 5:52 pm by Former Lancer
Ahhh, out of 4 games the rodents only took 1 game, 1 tie and two to the Sioux. Maybe worked over was a little harsh, how about got their asses kicked! What good is talent if the coaching staff sucks and does not know how to properly utilize and develop their talent as was pointed out by the Islanders?
May 30 2008, 11:19 am by D-Man, Denver
the players from the junior teams might put up with his chit but the collage players and alumni will not
May 30 2008, 12:35 pm by
So d-man, you are telling me that the the u coaching staff sucks? Give me a break. If und had a decent coaching staff then you guys wouldn't 0 for 4 in the frozen four. At least 2 out of the 3 time that Lucia went there he won the national title. So don't tell me that The U coaching staff sucks. Maybe you need a new coaching staff.
May 30 2008, 4:26 pm by
It sounds like Hastings has a solid coaching record behind him. Let's hope he is just as good or even better that Guentzel. It will be an interesting season next year-I can't wait! Go Gophers!
May 30 2008, 10:52 pm by JonB Seattle
He is solid JonB. former lancer (which I doubt you are)or should I say Sally, your rant is invalid and well just plain rediculous. I know players that have played for him and they like him. Never heard the word bullying from them. Its ok if you got beat up on the play ground as a kid Sally, pull your gym shorts out of your rear and move on.
Jun 4 2008, 1:26 pm by JA
Hey JA, why did you include my name in your posting? I have the guts to put my name on my postings. Direct your smartass comments to the correct person you frickin idiot. While you are at it, learn to read English. Once you do that, you will see my post directly above yours and it has nothing negative to say about Hastings. Now take your skirt off and and be a man for once in your life.
Jun 5 2008, 1:54 am by JonB Seattle
JonB, JA only agreed with you. He was ripping on the "former lancer" guy from earlier. Anyway, I like the choice. I've never heard of Hastings before but that is probably a good thing. I'm glad Don didn't pick a former Gopher just to please certain people that don't know their head from their hole anyway.
Jun 5 2008, 9:44 am by JM, Minny
If that is the case, I am sorry to JA for ripping him. His post looks like he was saying I was former lancer. Now that I re-read it, I think you are correct. Thanks for the correction. I think capitalization would have helped. My bad.
Jun 5 2008, 2:03 pm by jonb seattle
Can't wait for Gophers to roll the Sioux next year with Kangas in nets. Go Gophers.
Jun 8 2008, 5:06 am by Tom, Minneapolis
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