Ex-U assistant expects to have MSU competing for titles

Mike Hastings is smooth -- as a talker.

The new Minnesota State men's hockey coach talked about commitment, family, getting better every day and a number of other topic on Monday during a news conference in Mankato.

He was named the third Mavericks coach ever on Saturday, replacing Troy Jutting who held the job for 12 seasons.

Hastings was the associate head coach at Nebraska Omaha the past three seasons and before that a Gophers assistant for one.

A video of his news conference is here.

I always got along with him well when he was on the Gophers staff in 2008-09. He seemed sharp, passionate, two admirable qualities.

On Monday, he said, "I am excited. I want to hit the ground running."

He said the improvement in facilities that MSU's hockey program needs will get done. "We will find a way. ... We are going to come up with answers," he said.

He said the Mavericks will be competing for championships and called Mankato and the university "a special place, a place I am going to call home."

His priorities, he said, would be to take care of the athletes already in the porgram, to let them know the coaching staff and school is committed to them. He also wanted to widen the recruiting base of MSU and accomplish something every day.

PROSPECTS GAME COMING

USA Hockey, in an effort to raise the visibility of American-born players, is starting as an all-american prospects game. It will be held Sept. 29, 2012 in Buffalo, N.Y. The Buffalo Sabres are partners in the endeavor.

"Players will come from junior hockey and college hockey, as well as the high school and prep school ranks," said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey in a news release. "We'll be in contact with NHL Central Scouting as we build the final list of players invited to compete in this inaugural event."