Hakstol guided UND through an injury-plagued season to a league-record third consecutive Broadmoor Trophy as Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Final Five champions, as well as the No. 1 seed in the NCAA West Region and a berth in the regional championship game.

UND finished the season 26-13-3 overall and 16-11-1 in the WCHA despite eight players combining to miss 110 games due to injury, including preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year Rocco Grimaldi, who missed all but four games. UND also lost sophomore forwards Derek Rodwell and Taylor Dickin, as well as freshman forward Brendan O'Donnell to season-ending injuries. Additionally, freshman forward Colten St. Clair missed the entire season due to an NCAA eligibility issue. In all, the Sioux were forced to dress fewer than 18 skaters on 14 occasions, yet went 11-3 in those games.

UND secured a berth in the NCAA postseason tournament for the eighth time in as many seasons under Hakstol, finishing the season on a 22-6-2 (.767) run that began on Thanksgiving.

Earlier this week, UND was ranked No. 5 in the final USCHO.com poll and No. 6 in the final USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.

Since the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, four of Hakstol's players have signed professional contracts. Senior defenseman Ben Blood signed with the Ottawa Senators and joined their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Binghamton, while sophomore forward Brock Nelson signed with the New York Islanders and joined their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. Additionally, seniors Mario Lamoureux (Gwinnett Gladiators) and Brad Eidsness (Reading Royals) agreed to terms with East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) teams.