The Wisconsin Badgers men’s hockey team has found their new head coach in Mike Hastings, coming off of 11 years leading Minnesota State.
His total record with the Mavericks was 299-109-25, highlighted by a 2021-22 season in which they went 38-6-0 and appeared in the NCAA Frozen Four Championship. His accolades include three Spencer Penrose Award for national coach of the year in 2013, 2015 and 2021.
Hastings entered a Minnesota State program with only one winning season out of the previous nine. He immediately improved the team, doubling their win total in his first season. Hastings has never finished a season with fewer than 20 wins.
Wisconsin made the decision to fire coach Tony Granato on March 6 after a 13-23-0 season with only six conference wins. He spent seven years coaching the Badgers where he won two Big Ten Coach of the Year awards in 2017 and 2021.
"Wisconsin is one of college hockey's great programs, and I am both thrilled and humbled to have this opportunity," Hastings said in the statement. "I want to thank Chris McIntosh for his belief in me.”
“Badger hockey has a lot going for it — great alums, fans, facilities, tradition, a terrific campus and city,” he added. “I can't wait to get to Madison and start working with our team on building a winning culture on and off the ice."
Donnie Slusher is the sports editor for the Daily Cardinal. He has written multiple breaking news stories, sports columns and an in-depth examination of race in Wisconsin football. Follow Donnie on Twitter at @DonnieSlusher_
