Minnesota State University concluded their season with a loss to St.Cloud State in the NCAA Frozen Four. Despite this loss, this season proved to be historical for the Mavericks, who broke school and WCHA records.

Minnesota State’s season was filled with mystery due to COVID-19. A season like no other, Mike Hastings viewed this season differently than years past.

“Usually in a season you’re worried about wins and losses and how you react to each one,” Hastings said. “It was a year that changed the focus to do we even get the opportunity to play.”

The change in perception did not hinder the Mavericks play. Through inspiring determination, Minnesota State managed to complete a shortened season which led to the best season in school history.

“Everything that our guys went through, other teams went through, in this season, and then finding a way to stay healthy enough that we could go through a regular season, playoffs, to the NCAA tournament, winning our first NCAA tournament game, then getting to the Final Four,’ Hastings said. “I think it was that if there was ever a time you had to stick with winning the day, it was this season.”

Minnesota State won a lot this season. Mike Hastings and his staff’s unbelievable coaching and management guided this team to great success. Hastings’ game plan was putting trust in his players and providing fantastic leadership.

“We all tried to bring something to the table which was a little bit of game plan, ” Hastings said. “At the end of the day, the players are the ones that are executing. They play for each other as much as they play for themselves so a lot of it was just trying to put them in a position to stay as healthy as they could.”

Staying healthy in a season like this one proved difficult and showed the various measures players and staff had to go through to complete this season.

“A lot Our focus was in blocks of 24 hours because of COVID and testing,” Hastings said. “It was just trying to get the guys to view each game as an opportunity to get a little better and put ourselves in a position to compete.”

One of Hastings’ players, Walker Duehr, regularly put himself in opportunities to succeed, and in doing so, signed to the Calgary Flames following Minnesota State’s loss to St.Cloud. The Flames can expect a lot from the player, primarily consistency.

“Consistency, the biggest thing is that he is a consistent big body that is committed to being hard to play against,” Hastings said. “Playing physical, having a good stick, being a guy that whether he gets eight minutes, twelve or fourteen minutes, he understands that he has to be ready for each opportunity, I think he has become a real selfless player.”

Duehr contributed to Minnesota State’s deep postseason run this year, but with him and other players leaving, the expectations for next year only increase.

“We didn’t get an opportunity to win our last game, so our goal is to continue to push the bar here,” Hastings said.“ We also understand that we have to go back and be willing to do the work so we are going to learn from experiences positively and negatively, and then make sure we understand the work that we have to put in to have this opportunity a year from now.”

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Hastings recognizes the job is not finished. Despite a fantastic season, he is looking to carry the momentum from this year into next year.

“Enjoy what just happened,” Hastings said. “But close the book on that once school’s done here in May, and start to write a new book come June.”

Hastings was named coach of the decade by the WCHA. Hastings’ exemplary work behind the bench of the Mavericks has made him deserving of the honor.

“You’re appreciative of it,” Hastings said. “Coaches go nowhere without their players, I don’t care what level you’re talking about so from what they’ve surrounded myself with, to people I’ve worked with, to those people helping recruit hockey players and better people.”

Hastings’ humble words show why he is beloved in the community at Minnesota State, and the gratitude goes both ways.

“You feel blessed,” Hastings said. “You get to a point they want the bar to get higher and higher so that’s what we are trying to do here, and I’m fortunate I’m at Minnesota State.”