Rare route to NHL

Dave Hakstol became only the third coach in NHL history to climb directly from the college ranks to the NHL. A look at the other two:

• Bob Johnson: Won three NCAA titles at Wisconsin before leaving for Calgary. The Flames made the playoffs in all five of his seasons and reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1986. In 1991, he coach the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup title, beating the North Stars. He died of brain cancer about six months later.

• Ned Harkness: Won two NCAA titles at Cornell before moving to the Detroit Red Wings in 1970. Harkness went 12-22-4 before being moved to general manager.

Note: Herb Brooks went from the Gophers to the U.S. Olympic team to a Swiss team before coaching the Rangers from 1981-82 to 1984-85.

Staff, news services