Hastings sets new wins benchmark
Published on February 16, 2008 under United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
GRAND FORKS, N.D.: Omaha Lancers head coach Mike Hastings became the all-time winningest coach in USHL history Saturday night, thanks to the Lancers' 7-0 victory over the Sioux Falls Stampede at the Sioux Falls Arena. Hastings won the 518th game of his career, surpassing the 517 games won by Bob Ferguson over 18 seasons with Sioux City and Des Moines.
Hastings wasted no time in setting the record, as he tied the mark with his team's 7-2 win over Tri-City on Friday.
"Mike has been a coach in this league for a long time, and over the 14 years he's been coaching he has attained a level of excellence that very few, in any league, have been able to reach," said USHL president Gino Gasparini. "One of the reasons that young men want to come and play in our league is because of the coaching that they will receive while they are here. Mike has been at the head of that group since 1994 and he is clearly one of the finest coaches that the United States has ever produced.
"On behalf of the league and its members, I congratulate Mike on this impressive and welldeserved milestone and wish him the best of luck as he works to build on this new record."
Hastings' career record in 14 seasons with the Lancers stands at 518-207-54. The 779 games coached rank him third all-time behind Bob Ferguson (873) and Dave Siciliano (793). Saturday's win also brings Hastings' career winning percentage to .700, making him one of two men (Frank Serratore - .710) to establish a winning percentage of .700 or better.
Hastings has been named the USHL Coach of the Year twice (1997, 2002) and the USHL General Manager of the Year four times (1997, 2002, 2005, 2007).
The USHL is America's only Tier I league and the premier path for developing players in America. The league has over 150 current players committed to Division I colleges and 19 players that have been selected in the NHL Draft. For more information on the USHL and its member teams, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2008
- Junior Blue Jackets lose to Gamblers 5-2 - Ohio Junior Blue Jackets
- Ouch - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Bucs Beat Waterloo 7-1 saturday night - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Hastings sets new wins benchmark - USHL
- Hastings Ties Ferguson As Lancers Win Eighth Straight - Omaha Lancers
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