Men's Ice Hockey

MSU’s Hastings named CCHA Coach of the Year

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) announced today that Minnesota State Head Coach Mike Hastings has been named the CCHA’s Coach of the Year. Hastings led Minnesota State to a 23-3-0 overall record to finish as the number-one team in CCHA conference play for the 2021-22 campaign. The Mavericks recorded an impressive 67 league points, 13 more than the next team in the conference standings, to capture the MacNaughton Cup as the CCHA’s best team in the regular season.
 
A native of Crookston, Minn., Hastings has been the bench-boss for the Mavericks team that was leaders in goals scored per game (4.42) and goals allowed per game (1.04). They posted impressive numbers in the special teams' category, finishing second in power-play percentage (.284) and first in penalty-kill percentage (.892). Minnesota State was also the second-least penalized team in CCHA conference play.
 
The Mavericks have been nationally ranked number one 11 times this year and have been ranked in the top five in all 21 polls this season. Hastings helped guide the Mavericks to 11 consecutive victories to end the regular season. 
 
Outside of conference play, Minnesota State finished 31-5-0 in the regular season, recording an impressive 165 goals and only allowing 50 against to head into the postseason as the number one team in NCAA Division I Hockey. Hastings also served as an assistant coach for Team USA at 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
 
In his 10th season as the head coach of the Minnesota State men's ice hockey team, where he has transformed the program into a national powerhouse, Hastings has led the Mavericks to more wins than any other team in the nation with a 267-94-24 mark after the conclusion of the 2021-22 regular season. His teams have advanced to the NCAA Tournament on six occasions, including a trip to the Frozen Four in 2021.
 
Voting for the 2021-22 All-CCHA Teams and CCHA Players/Coach of the Year awards were conducted by the eight head coaches at each CCHA member institution, based on CCHA conference games only. Coaches voted for six forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders, followed by three rookie forwards and two rookie defensemen, all in descending order, and one rookie goaltender. Lastly, the eight CCHA head coaches voted for one player or coach from each of the respective individual categories. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players or self.
 
The CCHA will announce its Player of the Year Award today at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT.

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To stay updated with the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, visit www.ccha.com and follow the official social media accounts of the CCHA on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok & Twitter: @CCHAHockey.