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2024–25 Coachella Valley Firebirds season

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2024–25 Coachella Valley Firebirds
DivisionPacific
ConferenceWestern
2024–25 record4–5–0–0 (8 pts)
Home record1–2–0–0
Road record3–3–0–0
Goals for25
Goals against31
Team information
General managerTroy Bodie (de facto—VP of Hockey Operations)
CoachDerek Laxdal
CaptainMax McCormick
Alternate captainsGustav Olofsson
ArenaAcrisure Arena
Team leaders
GoalsCale Fleury
Jacob Melanson
Ryan Winterton (3)
AssistsBrandon Biro (5)
PointsBen Meyers (6)
Penalty minutesIan McKinnon (24)
WinsNikke Kokko (3)
Goals against averageNikke Kokko (3.00)
← 2023–24
  →

The 2024–25 Coachella Valley Firebirds season is the franchise's third season in the American Hockey League (AHL), starting on October 11, 2024. They play their home games at Acrisure Arena.

This is the first season of Derek Laxdal being the Firebirds' head coach, as he replaced Dan Bylsma at the position on July 5, 2024. This is because Bylsma was heading to the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Seattle Kraken to replace Dave Hakstol as their head coach.

Background

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Main article: 2023–24 Coachella Valley Firebirds season
See also: 2023–24 Seattle Kraken season
Dan Bylsma left the Firebirds in order to become the Seattle Kraken's head coach on May 28, 2024.

The Firebirds were founded as an expansion team in the Coachella Valley as the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Seattle Kraken, and started play during the AHL's 2022–23 season. During that season, the Firebirds achieved 103 points during the regular season, and eventually climbed to the Calder Cup Finals, only to lose to the Hershey Bears. During the Firebirds' 2023–24 season, they also achieved 103 points during the regular season, climbed to the Calder Cup Finals, and lost to the Hershey Bears.[1]

On April 29, 2024, following the end of the Seattle Kraken's 2023–24 season, their head coach, Dave Hakstol, was fired.[2] The Kraken organization made the decision to replace him with Coachella Valley Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma on May 28.[3] This was important for the Firebirds because, as previously mentioned, Bylsma had coached them all the way to the Calder Cup Finals in both of their seasons.[1] On July 5, it was announced that Derek Laxdal was going to replace Bylsma.[4]

On June 30, the Kraken prepared for the upcoming free agency by re-signing four players, all of whom had contributed to the Firebirds strong efforts the previous season—John Hayden,[5] Luke Henman,[6] Ales Stezka,[7] and Firebirds captain Max McCormick.[8]

Off-season

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See also: 2024–25 Seattle Kraken season

On July 1, the first day of free agency, the Kraken lost six players, who had spent much of their time during the 2023–24 season with the Firebirds—Devin Shore,[9] Connor Carrick,[10] Kole Lind,[11] Cameron Hughes,[12] Jimmy Schuldt,[13] and Chris Driedger.[14] Lind had been one of the driving forces in Coachella Valley—over their two seasons, he had the most games played (141), the most assists (80), and was tied with Max McCormick for the most points (127). Driedger was yet another factor in the Firebirds' success, as he led the Firebirds in both games played (53) and wins (33) by a goaltender.[15] The trend of players who had spent time with the Firebirds leaving continued on July 2, when and Peetro Seppala left the Kraken.[16] The Kraken made history on July 3, by hiring Jessica Campbell as an assistant coach, as she became the first woman to be in a coaching position in the NHL. She had spent the previous two seasons with the Firebirds, helping them reach the Calder Cup Finals during both of them.[17] Also that day, Firebirds alternate captain Andrew Poturalski left the Kraken.[18] To replace Campbell, the Firebirds hired Brennan Sonne to be an assistant coach for the team on July 15. The previous season, Sonne had served as the head coach of the Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Saskatoon Blades, leading them to achieve the best regular season record in the WHL with 105 points.[19] On July 16, the Kraken saw the departure of another player who had spent time with the Firebirds, Mitch Reinke.[20] On July 18, the first player who was directly under contract to the Firebirds left the team—Justin Nachbaur.[21]

On August 1, the Firebirds re-signed player Ian McKinnon for one year.[22] On August 8, the Firebirds signed their first player of free agency, Cam Morrison.[23] The Firebirds re-signed goaltender Jack LaFontaine, on August 15.[24] On August 20, the Firebirds signed Damien Giroux.[25] Two days later, the Firebirds re-signed Max Andreev.[26] During the previous season, Andreev qualified for the ECHL's 2023–24 All-Rookie Team after achieving 72 points in 61 games.[27] On August 27, the Firebirds signed a former captain of the WHL's Everett Silvertips, Jackson Berezowski.[28] On August 29, the Firebirds signed another ECHL All-Rookie Team member, Cade Borchardt.[29]

On September 3, the Firebirds signed Turner Ottenbreit.[30] On September 5, the Firebirds re-signed Jake McLaughlin.[31]

Standings

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 y–  indicates team has clinched division and a playoff spot
 x–  indicates team has clinched a playoff spot
 e–  indicates team has been eliminated from playoff contention

Standings as of November 7, 2024[32]

Eastern Conference

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Atlantic Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
Hershey Bears (WSH) 11 7 3 1 0 15 .682 37 27
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT) 9 7 2 0 0 14 .778 28 20
Charlotte Checkers (FLA) 8 6 1 0 1 13 .813 37 22
Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR) 10 5 3 1 1 12 .600 28 33
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI) 9 3 3 2 1 9 .500 23 28
Springfield Thunderbirds (STL) 11 4 7 0 0 8 .364 29 38
Providence Bruins (BOS) 9 3 6 0 0 6 .333 19 25
Bridgeport Islanders (NYI) 10 2 6 1 1 6 .300 26 37
North Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
Laval Rocket (MTL) 9 8 1 0 0 16 .889 31 19
Toronto Marlies (TOR) 8 6 1 0 1 13 .813 26 17
Rochester Americans (BUF) 9 6 3 0 0 12 .667 36 21
Syracuse Crunch (TBL) 10 5 4 1 0 11 .550 24 22
Belleville Senators (OTT) 8 4 1 0 3 11 .688 24 23
Cleveland Monsters (CBJ) 9 4 4 0 1 9 .500 29 35
Utica Comets (NJD) 9 0 8 0 1 1 .0056 16 40

Western Conference

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Central Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) 9 8 1 0 0 16 .889 34 16
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) 11 7 3 1 0 15 .682 27 23
Texas Stars (DAL) 8 5 3 0 0 10 .625 31 29
Iowa Wild (MIN) 11 3 7 1 0 7 .318 29 44
Rockford IceHogs (CHI) 7 3 4 0 0 6 .429 21 22
Manitoba Moose (WPG) 8 3 5 0 0 6 .375 19 23
Chicago Wolves (CAR) 7 2 4 1 0 5 .357 11 23
Pacific Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pts% GF GA
Calgary Wranglers (CGY) 12 10 2 0 0 20 .833 41 22
San Jose Barracuda (SJS) 9 6 3 0 0 12 .667 38 22
Colorado Eagles (COL) 10 5 4 0 1 11 .550 32 30
Bakersfield Condors (EDM) 10 4 3 2 1 11 .550 23 28
Abbotsford Canucks (VAN) 11 5 5 0 1 11 .500 30 39
Ontario Reign (LAK) 8 4 4 0 0 8 .500 28 30
Coachella Valley Firebirds (SEA) 9 4 5 0 0 8 .444 25 31
Tucson Roadrunners (UTA) 8 4 4 0 0 8 .500 25 25
San Diego Gulls (ANA) 10 3 7 0 0 6 .300 29 37
Henderson Silver Knights (VGK) 9 2 7 0 0 4 .222 25 40

Schedule and results

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Preseason

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On August 6, 2024, it was accounted that the Firebirds were going to play two games at Cable Dahmer Arena, the home of the Firebirds' ECHL affiliate Kansas City Mavericks on October 4 and 5, both games against the Milwaukee Admirals.[33]

2024–25 Game Log – Preseason

Regular season

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The AHL's regular season schedule was revealed on July 11, 2024.[34]

2024–25 Game Log – Regular season
November: 2–2–0–0 (Home: 0–0–0–0 ; Road: 2–2–0–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Report
6 November 1 Coachella Valley 3–5 Bakersfield Stezka 3,697 0–1–0–0 0 [6]
7 November 2 Coachella Valley 5–2 Bakersfield Kokko 5,205 1–1–0–0 2 [7]
8 November 5 Coachella Valley 0–5 Colorado Stezka 5,089 1–2–0–0 2 [8]
9 November 6 Coachella Valley 3–2 Colorado Kokko 5,089 2–2–0–0 4 [9]
10 November 8 Coachella Valley – Ontario
11 November 10 Ontario – Coachella Valley
12 November 15 Coachella Valley – Abbotsford
13 November 16 Coachella Valley – Abbotsford
14 November 20 Colorado – Coachella Valley
15 November 22 San Diego – Coachella Valley
16 November 26 Coachella Valley – Tucson
17 November 27 Coachella Valley – Tucson
18 November 30 Texas – Coachella Valley

References

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  1. ^ a b "Coachella Valley Firebirds hockey team statistics and history at HockeyDB.com". HockeyDB. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  2. ^ "Hakstol fired as Kraken coach, no replacement named". National Hockey League. April 29, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Bylsma hired as coach of Kraken, replaces Hakstol". National Hockey League. May 28, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  4. ^ "Seattle Kraken Hire Derek Laxdal as Head Coach of the Coachella Valley Firebirds". National Hockey League. July 5, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  5. ^ "Seattle Kraken Sign John Hayden to One-Year Contract". National Hockey League. June 30, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Seattle Kraken Sign Forward Luke Henman to One-Year Contract". National Hockey League. June 30, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "Seattle Kraken Sign Ales Stezka to a One-Year Contract". National Hockey League. June 30, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "Seattle Kraken Agree to Terms with Max McCormick on Two Year Contract". National Hockey League. June 30, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "Minnesota Wild sign Devin Shore to one-year, two-way contract". Sportsnet. July 1, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "Oilers sign Connor Carrick to one-year contract". National Hockey League. July 1, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "Stars sign Kole Lind to a one-year, two-way contract". National Hockey League. July 1, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  12. ^ "Stars sign Cameron Hughes to a one-year, two-way contract". National Hockey League. July 1, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  13. ^ "Sharks sign Jimmy Schuldt to Two-Way Contract". San Jose Barracuda. July 1, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  14. ^ "Florida Panthers Agree to Terms with Goaltender Chris Driedger on One-Year Contract". National Hockey League. July 1, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  15. ^ "Coachella Valley Firebirds all-time player list at HockeyDB.com". HockeyDB. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  16. ^ Kiiski, Jyrki (July 2, 2024). "Orebro gets more Finnish color from Peetro Seppälä". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  17. ^ Roarke, Shawn P. (July 3, 2024). "Campbell becomes 1st woman to coach in NHL, named Kraken assistant". National Hockey League. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  18. ^ "San Jose Sharks sign Andrew Poturalski to two-year, two-way deal". Sportsnet. July 3, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  19. ^ Rotolo, Gina (July 15, 2024). "Sonne joins the Firebirds after an historic season with the Saskatoon Blades". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  20. ^ "Eisbären sign Mitch Reinke". Eisbären Berlin (in German). July 16, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  21. ^ "Bears Sign Six Skaters to AHL Deals For 2024–25 Season". Hershey Bears. July 18, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  22. ^ "Ian McKinnon Returns to Coachella Valley For Third Season". Coachella Valley Firebirds. August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  23. ^ Hinman, Holly (August 8, 2024). "CV Firebirds sign forward Cam Morrison for the 2024-25 season". KESQ. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  24. ^ "Welcome back, Laffer! 👏 #LetsFly". Tweet by Coachella Valley Firebirds on Twitter. August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  25. ^ Rotolo, Gina (August 20, 2024). "Coachella Valley Signs Newcomer Giroux for 2024–25 Season". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  26. ^ Rotolo, Gina (August 22, 2024). "ECHL All-Star Forward Re-Signs with Coachella Valley". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  27. ^ "ECHL announces 2023–24 All-Rookie Team". ECHL. April 10, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  28. ^ Rotolo, Gina (August 27, 2024). "Coachella Valley Inks Former Everett Silvertips Captain for 2024–25 Season". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  29. ^ Rotolo, Gina (August 29, 2024). "Coachella Valley Adds Kansas City Mavericks' Standout Borchardt". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "Firebirds sign Ottenbreit". American Hockey League. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  31. ^ Rotolo, Gina (September 5, 2024). "Left-Handed Defenseman Returns to Firebirds". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  32. ^ "American Hockey League Standings". American Hockey League. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  33. ^ "The anticipation is over, Mavs fans!". Tweet by Kansas City Mavericks on Twitter. August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  34. ^ "2024–25 AHL schedule unveiled". American Hockey League. July 11, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
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