Does Your College Hockey Team Have a Former NHL Star on Staff Yet? Puck Drop

There’s a new kind of arms race in college hockey, and it has nothing to with the facilities, the transfer portal or trying to add top-level players out of the Canadian juniors — at least not directly.

It has to do with the staffs. Note that the word “coaching” was not included, although is part of this growing pursuit.

Thursday’s announcement by Wisconsin was a perfect example. The Badgers named three new additions to Mike Hastings’ staff, with former UW assistant coach Andy Brandt returning after serving as the head coach of the USHL's Madison Capitols, and veteran NHL goaltending coach Steve Briere the new Director of Goaltending Development.

Both are big additions, but the third name’s the head-turner: Joe Pavelski. Yes, the 18-year NHL veteran, two-time Olympian and U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. He had moved back to Madison after hanging up his skates and his new job title is Director of Player Development.

“His hockey knowledge, competitive drive and ability to connect with players will be invaluable to our program,” Hastings said in a statement.

I know Michigan players have loved having Pacioretty around, not only for development but also because they can ask him questions about being a pro. He's a big resource for them. Pavelski will likely play a similar role for Wisconsin's players. https://t.co/Ys0AepMxIT
— Matthew Auchincloss (@matthew_auch) August 20, 2026

If this sounds familiar, it should, because it appears to be growing trend in college hockey.

When Max Pacioretty announced his retirement from the NFL last September after 17 seasons in the NHL, he quickly went back to Michigan as a special assistant to the head coach. He had played with the Wolverines for one season in 2007-08.

Meanwhile, Matt Cullen, who played 21 years in the NHL and won three Stanley Cups, was hired in April as Minnesota’s Director of Player Development.

There are two interesting sidebars with him, the first being that he reportedly didn’t like how he was recruited by Minnesota as a player and instead went to St. Cloud State.

He’s apparently brought a new attitude along with Brett Larson, the new head coach hired away from the Huskies, as the Gophers are already putting together some monster recruiting classes together. Of course, it helps that all three of Cullen’s sons are heading to Minnesota as well.

Brooks Cullen is set to play his freshman year. Wyatt Cullen, the No. 10-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators, will join him this season. Joey Cullen, the youngest and with the most potential, who is being hailed as a possible No. 1 selection in the 2028 NHL Draft, is committed for 2028-29.

This isn’t like Boston College hiring former alternate captain Ben Smith as an assistant coach, which was announced this week. Yes, he played 127 games in the NHL, spent last season as a Player Development Coordinator for the Boston Bruins, and has an impressive resume. However nearly every assistant coach at the collegiate level is a former player, and very few in the sport have a name like Pavelski, Pacioretty or Cullen.

Meanwhile, Michigan recently added the Chris Lazary, the former head coach of the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League, to the coaching staff when Rob Rassey left to be the head coach at Harvard, and Denver created the first Chief of Staff position and hired Amanda Kremer.

More of these kinds of additions will follow, of that we can be certain. The influx of talent means the stakes are rising, and programs all over the nation are exploring every way they can think of for possible advantages — even among former NHL greats.

Puck Drop: Friday, August 21, 2026

• A day after he was acquired in a trade, former Arizona State forward Cruz Lucius signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks. The forward led the Sun Devils in scoring last season with 46 points (15 goals). Lucius was acquired from the Penguins and could have potentially returned to the Sun Devils for a fifth season under shifting eligibility rules. Incidentally, his new agent is former Minnesota forward Ben Hankinson.

• The Detroit Red Wings acquired former Notre Dame forward Sutter Muzzatti from the Nashville Predators for future considerations. He signed singed a two-year entry-level deal.

• Recruiting updates: Kaden Aucoin, a top-rated defenseman from Scottsdale, Ariz., committed to Boston University. His father Adrian played for the Terriers as well. … Another highly-rated defenseman, Anthony Bongo, out of Connecticut and played for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede last season, committed to Union for 2027-28. … Minnesota-Duluth received a commitment from in-state defenseman Whitaker Rewertz. … Former Quinnipiac commitment Joey Macrina (Sioux Falls Stampede) committed to Brown for 2027-28.

Forward Liam Schultz, the younger brother of UND freshman Ashton Schultz, committed to Minnesota State. … Twin-brothers Nolan and Trevor Shorter, who are both 6-foot-7, committed to Notre Dame for 2028-29. Trevor plays defense and Nolan is a forward. … Brothers Peyton and Ben Collins committed to Cornell. … Defenseman Alexis Lemire committed to Bowling Green.

• Alaska Fairbanks announced the addition of transfer forward Jack Rogers (St. Cloud State). … The Nanooks also landed a commitment from former Army commit Zach Howard.

• USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program promoted Rod Braceful to Senior Director of Hockey Operations, and Andrew Whiteside to Director of Player Personnel.

Countdown to the 2026-27 Season

… 42 days

Hockey Quote of the Day

"When someone says something trying to get a rise out of me, I'm like, 'You think I haven't heard this before?'"
Cammi Granato (Providence)

This Date in Hockey History

August 21, 1912: Hockey legend Toe Blake was born in Victoria Mines, Ontario.

August 21, 1923: Hall of Fame executive Keith Allen was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

August 21, 1959: Boston University center Paul Miller was in Billerica, Mass.

August 21, 1963: North Dakota center Gord Sherven was born in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan.

August 21, 1965: Michigan State center Mitch Messier was born in Regina, Saskatchewan.

August 21, 1969: U.S. Steel donated the land in Eveleth, Minn., where U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

August 21, 1969: The Hockey Hall of Fame announced its newest induction class, including players Red Kelly, Sid Abel, Roy Worters, and Bryan Hextall Sr., and executive Bruce Norris.

August 21, 1970: Minnesota Duluth goaltender Chad Erickson was born in Minneapolis.

August 21, 1973: Merrimack forward Steve McKenna was born in Toronto.

August 21, 1976: Wisconsin defenseman Alex Brooks was born in Madison, Wisc.

August 21, 1993: The new Mariucci Arena opened with a high-profile alumni game. John Mariucci Jr. dropped the ceremonial puck between Neal Broten and John Mayasich.

August 21, 2019: Former Boston College standout Bill Guerin was named general manager of the Minnesota Wild.

We'll Leave You With This ...

💪 The work continues! Ferris State Hockey is grinding through preseason strength and conditioning as the Bulldogs prepare for the 2026-27 season. 🏒💙 pic.twitter.com/yADIBr9Z16
— Ferris State Hockey (@FerrisHockey) August 21, 2026

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