ASU’s Graham Rossini says program is ‘days away’ from naming next hockey head coach

Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini provided an update Thursday on when the next Sun Devils men’s hockey head coach will be named.

Rossini told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo that the program was days away from a decision regarding its next head coach and was keeping the players in the loop regarding the search.

“We told them what we’re committing to: finding a veteran, experienced head coach, great knowledge of the sport, great knowledge of our conference and college hockey specifically … and working around the clock to get to that point and have kept them in the loop as much as I can as we get to the other side. I think we’re days away, and we’re working quickly towards that goal,” Rossini said.

Rossini’s comments come as the Sun Devils have been without head coach Greg Powers after he was placed on administrative leave on Sept. 30 amid an independent investigation into Matthew Mayich’s collapse during an outdoor workout on Aug. 20. Mayich has remained hospitalized and on life support since the incident.

Rossini declined to name any coaches tied to the Sun Devils’ coaching search.

Mike Corbett, an assistant on Powers’ staff, served as the interim head coach for ASU’s opening series against Lindenwood last week. The Sun Devils won the opener 5-0 on Friday and dropped the second game 9-6 on Saturday.

The Sun Devils will play their home-opening series at Mullett Arena against Holy Cross on Friday and Saturday.

AZ Central’s Robert Anglen reported Thursday that ASU associate head coach Alex Hicks, who was on the field for the workout that left Mayich hospitalized, will be away from the team for the team’s home-opening series. Former Arizona Coyotes player Taylor Pyatt will be behind the bench for ASU for the series, per Grand Forks Herald’s Brad Elliott Schlossman.

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