Report: Hakstol Will Depart Avalanche Thursday, McLean To Replace Him

Colorado Avalanche head coach Dave Hakstol is expected to coach his final game with the team on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena. Subsequently, he will be appointed as the interim head coach for Arizona State University’s hockey program. The news of Hakstol’s departure to ASU surfaced after he guided his final Avalanche match.

Brett McLean, a former Avalanche player from 2005-07, will take over as head coach for the Avalanche, replacing Hakstol on Jared Bednar’s staff. McLean, who played for the Avalanche during his early career, will oversee various aspects of the team’s hockey operations. Prior to joining Arizona State, McLean served as an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild organizations.

He also held the position of head coach for the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild from 2023-25. Hakstol’s tenure as an assistant coach for the Avalanche began in the summer of 2025, replacing Ray Bennett, who managed the team’s power-play duties. The Avalanche finished 27th in the NHL during the 2023-24 season, with limited success on the power play.

Hakstol’s departure comes amid an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Matthew Mayich’s collapse during an outdoor workout on August 20. Head coach Greg Powers was placed on paid administrative leave on September 30, as the team prepared to begin their season.