In a significant development this week, Arizona State University appointed veteran NHL coach Dave Hakstol as the new head coach of its hockey program. This decision follows the resignation of former head coach Greg Powers, who stepped down amid an ongoing investigation into an incident that left 21-year-old player Matthew Mayich on life support due to external heat stroke. Hakstol, 58, brings a wealth of experience, having served as head coach for the Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken, and as a long-term coach at the University of North Dakota. Most recently, he was an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche. Arizona State has enlisted former State Supreme Court Chief Justice Scott Bales to conduct an independent review of the August 20 incident, expected by early December. The Mayich family, through attorney Rob Carey, emphasized the importance of transparency and the protection of whistleblowers. Powers’s resignation should not hinder the investigation or participant cooperation. Brett McLean has been hired as an assistant coach to replace Hakstol on the Avalanche’s staff. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/503c57f2366178b48ededa376476745c?utm_source=openai))
In NHL action on October 15, 2026, several notable games took place. The New Jersey Devils delivered a dominant performance, defeating the New York Rangers 7-1. Luke Hughes and Nico Hischier each contributed two goals, while Cody Glass added another in the third period. The Devils’ offense was relentless, overwhelming the Rangers throughout the game. ([nhlschedule.net](https://www.nhlschedule.net/games/new-york-rangers-vs-new-jersey-devils-2026-10-15-2026020113?utm_source=openai))
In other matchups, the Buffalo Sabres edged out the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime. Owen Power scored the decisive goal, securing the win for the Sabres. The San Jose Sharks triumphed over the Nashville Predators 3-2 in a shootout, with Alex Nedeljkovic earning the victory in goal. The Seattle Kraken fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in overtime, despite a strong performance from their offense. ([hockey-reference.com](https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/2026/10/15/?utm_source=openai))
Looking ahead, the NHL schedule features several exciting matchups. The Nashville Predators are set to face the Boston Bruins on October 22, 2026, at TD Garden. The Bruins, currently on a five-game winning streak, will look to extend their dominance against the Predators, who have a 3-2-3 record. ([stepfoxthemes.com](https://stepfoxthemes.com/ice-hockey/game/nsh-at-bos-2026020154/?utm_source=openai))
As the season progresses, fans can anticipate more thrilling games and developments in the world of ice hockey. The league continues to showcase high-level competition, with teams vying for position in the standings and players striving for individual accolades. Stay tuned for more updates and analyses as the season unfolds.
