Before joining the Kraken, Hakstol was head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers for three-plus seasons from 2015 to 2018, qualifying for the playoffs in two of three full seasons, including his first year. He joined the Kraken from Toronto, where he served as a defense-minded assistant coach to Mike Babcock, followed by Sheldon Keefe. In 2020-21, the Leafs were the league's fifth best in preventing shots against per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play. As the University of North Dakota men's head coach, he took his alma mater to the NCAA Frozen Four in his first year and seven times total in 11 seasons, finishing with a 289-143-43 record. He captained two seasons as a player at UND, and also had a five-season IHL pro career before a knee injury prompted him to become a USHL head coach.