As can be seen, this is my first post on this forum. I found this forum to see if others shared my opinion that a change needs to be made and was pleasantly surprised to see an open and intelligent debate on Hakstol. First, coaches in general are in a unique position. Most of us don't have to worry about forums being started if we don't meet expectations in our jobs. That being said, coaches, especially coaches in high profile positions such as Hakstol, choose to accept living in the fish bowl and he isn't getting it done.
First, I don't think comparing a college coach and a NHL coach is accurate. NHL coaches are at the mercy of owners, general managers and a salary cap. College coaches have more control over their own destiny. And that it is what has been so frustrating under Hakstol. The UND hockey program is a turn key operation for any coach that comes here. The arena, the history and the other intangibles give any coach who comes here so many more advantages over other college programs.
Second, call me selfish, but to me all that matters is winning national titles. If I was a fan of St. Cloud St. or another similar team, I would be content with making the national tournament or winning a conference championship or producing future NHL players. But to go this long without a national title being a UND hockey fan is unacceptable. 10 years from now will any of us remember what year we won a conference championship or the years we started out the regular season at the bottom of the standings then finished at the top of the conference?
Lastly, like others, the excuses for not winning have grown old. We ran into a hot goalie, we were unlucky, we hit the post, etc. I thought it was hilarious to see in the Pulitizer Prize winning Grand Forks Herald that losing in the Frozen Five last week would actually help UND in the national tourney because they would be fresher.
