<p>David Carle is remaining in familiar territory.</p>



<p>On Monday, the NCAA’s Denver Pioneers <a href="https://denverpioneers.com/news/2025/5/5/denver-pioneers-hockey-head-coach-david-carle-signs-multi-year-contract-extension.aspx">announced</a> that the club has signed the highly touted head coach to a multi-year contract extension.</p>



<p>“We are thrilled to have David continue to lead the exceptional legacy that is Denver hockey,” Denver’s vice chancellor for athletics Josh Berlo said in a statement. “His&nbsp;dedication and passion are second to none, and we look forward to furthering our partnership and building upon our NCAA-record 10 national championships as the most accomplished college hockey program all-time.”</p>



<p>The extension sees Carle return to the collegiate ranks despite being the top candidate of interest to become the next head coach of the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/chicago-blackhawks/line-combinations">Chicago Blackhawks</a>, as <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/ncaa-denver-pioneers-david-carle-top-chicago-blackhawks-coaching-candidate">Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli</a> reported in April. Beyond Chicago, Carle was also a candidate to man the bench of the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/anaheim-ducks/line-combinations">Anaheim Ducks</a>, reports <a href="https://x.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1917997987814597018">The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun</a>.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="141"></div>



<p>Carle became a candidate of interest this offseason following two national championships with the Pioneers. The 35-year-old Alaska native has also guided the United States to back-to-back gold-medal victories at the past two World Junior Championships.</p>



<p>While Carle will not take over an NHL bench next season, several top candidates remain available, including former <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/">Vancouver Canucks</a> head coach Rick Tocchet who last Tuesday <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/vancouver-canucks-head-coach-rick-tocchet-will-not-return-for-2025-26">announced</a> that he will not return for the coming campaign. Beyond Tocchet, other <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_fc4JZxhd8">top candidates</a> include Dave Hakstol, Peter Laviolette, Joel Quenneville, John Tortorella, and Jay Woodcroft, among others.</p>



<p>Following the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-york-rangers/line-combinations">New York Rangers</a>‘ <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/new-york-rangers-mike-sullivan-nhl-coach">appointment</a> of former <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/pittsburgh-penguins/line-combinations">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> boss Mike Sullivan on Friday, four vacancies remain league wide, counting the Ducks, Penguins, <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/seattle-kraken/line-combinations">Seattle Kraken</a>, and Canucks. Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/boston-bruins/line-combinations">Boston Bruins</a>, Blackhawks, and <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/philadelphia-flyers/line-combinations">Philadelphia Flyers</a> all currently employ interim bench bosses and are also expected to make a change.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="142"></div>



<p>On Friday, the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/tampa-bay-lightning/line-combinations">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/tampa-bay-lightning-head-coach-jon-cooper-to-return-for-2025-26">confirmed</a> that Jon Cooper, the NHL’s longest tenured head coach, will return for 2025-26, while on Monday, the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/nashville-predators/line-combinations">Nashville Predators</a> <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/andrew-brunette-to-return-as-nashville-predators-coach-for-2025-26">announced</a> that bench boss Andrew Brunette will remain with the club for the coming campaign.</p>
