GRAND FORKS, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Former University of North Dakota Head Coach and Alumni Dave Hakstol is leading an NHL team once again.

It was announced on Thursday that he will become the first Head Coach of the NHL’s expansion team, the Seattle Kraken, who will begin play in October.

Hakstol most recently spent time as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before his time in Toronto he was the bench boss for the Philadelphia Flyers for 3 and a half seasons. During his tenure in Philadelphia he led the Flyers to the playoffs twice, losing in the first round in six games both times. His overall coaching record is 134-101-42 in 277 regular season games coached.

Before making the jump to the National Hockey League Hakstol was top coach in Men’s division 1 college hockey. Leading the school he played for, he took UND to the Frozen Four 7 times in his 11 seasons behind the bench, losing in the National Championship game in 2005. He was also honored with the conference coach of the year award twice (2009,2015) and was an eight-time finalist for national coach of the year.

Seattle will hold its expansion draft on July 21st, and participate in its first ever NHL Entry draft just a few days later on July 23 and 24.