DENVER – Colorado Avalanche added former Seattle head coach Dave Haxtall to its staff on Tuesday as an assistant to boost the powerplay unit that struggled during the postseason.
Hakstol will join the avalanche staff under coach Jared Bednar, including Nolan Pratt, goaltending Jussi Parkkila and assistant/video coach Brett Heimlich.
Hakstol, 56, will oversee the power play featuring Nathan Mackinnon and Cale Makar, but faced Dallas in the first round of the playoffs. The team was 3 of 22 years old for Man Advantage in a seven-game series.
Colorado also allowed seven goals in the Stars Series with shorthand. After the season, the team parted ways with assistant coach Ray Bennett, who was in charge of the power play.
Huxtor was the first head coach in Kraken’s history, serving from 2021 to 24. His team made the postseason in 2023, eliminating the avalanche in the first round of the series, which became seven games. He finished 107-112-27 in Seattle.
“Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience behind the bench and is very suitable for Jared’s staff,” Avalanche general manager Chris McFarland said in a statement. “He has a lot of success and an extensive coaching background, and will be a valuable addition to our team.”
Hakstol has also been head coach for some of Philadelphia’s four seasons, coming 134-101-42.
Before the NHL, Huxtor spent 11 seasons as head coach at the University of North Dakota, leading the team to seven frozen four appearances.
At the international competition, he won a pair of silver medals as Team Canada’s assistant coach at the 2017 and 2019 IIHF World Championships. The 2017 team featured McKinnon, while the 2019 team won avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.
“It’s a proud organization with a lot of talented players,” Huxtle said. “I look forward to being part of this special group and can’t wait for me to help my team in the best possible way.”
