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Coachella Valley Firebirds

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Coachella Valley Firebirds
CityPalm Desert, California, United States
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
ConferenceWestern
DivisionPacific
Founded2022
Home arenaAcrisure Arena
ColorsDeep sea blue, red alert, orange, ice blue[1]
       
MascotFuego
Owner(s)Oak View Group
General managerVacant
Head coachDerek Laxdal
CaptainMax McCormick
MediaThe Desert Sun
KDGL
AffiliatesSeattle Kraken (NHL)
Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL)
Websitecvfirebirds.com
Championships
Division titles1 (2023–24)
Conference titles2 (2023, 2024)
Current uniform
Current season

The Coachella Valley Firebirds are a professional ice hockey team based in the Coachella Valley of California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference of the American Hockey League (AHL). The Firebirds began play in the 2022–23 season.[2] The team is an owned-and-operated affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Seattle Kraken. The team plays their home games at Acrisure Arena in the city of Palm Desert, California.

After the approval of the Kraken to join the NHL, the Kraken's ownership group had narrowed down its AHL affiliate options to promoting the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads in Boise, Idaho, or a new expansion team in Palm Springs, California. On June 26, 2019, it was reported the Seattle ownership group had chosen Palm Springs as the site for Seattle's AHL affiliate.[3]

The Firebirds ranked second overall in their first regular season, behind only the Calgary Wranglers.[4] During that season's Calder Cup playoffs, the Firebirds reached the Finals, before losing in overtime of game seven to the Hershey Bears.[5] They pulled a similar feat in their second season, achieving 103 points in the regular season[6] and reaching the Finals before losing to the Bears again, this time in overtime of game six.[7]

History

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Establishment (2018–2022)

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On December 4, 2018, the National Hockey League (NHL) Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve a Seattle NHL expansion team, the Seattle Kraken, to begin play in the 2021–22 season.[8] The new ownership group then began making plans for acquiring a minor league affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). By early 2019, they had narrowed it down to promoting the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads in Boise, Idaho, or a new expansion team in the area around Palm Springs, California. On June 26, it was reported the Seattle ownership group had chosen Palm Springs as the site for Seattle's AHL affiliate, as the Boise option would require the Steelheads' arena to be revamped.[3] The expansion franchise was approved by the AHL Board of Governors on September 30, with plans to begin play in the 2021–22 season.[9] Delays associated with the construction of an arena in the Palm Springs area caused the team's debut to be pushed back to the 2022–23 season. In the meantime, Seattle affiliated with the Charlotte Checkers for the 2021–22 season, sharing the team with the Florida Panthers.[10]

In November 2021, the new team revealed its name, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, as well as its logos and colors, at a ceremony held on the construction site of their new arena.[11] Since the Kraken was a mythical creature, the organization chose another mythical creature for its affiliate.[11]

On June 21, 2022, Dan Bylsma, who had won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009,[12] was named the inaugural head coach of the Firebirds.[13] The Firebirds signed their first free agents, Samuel Bucek and Ian McKinnon, the next month on July 11, 2022.[14] On the day of the Firebirds' first game, October 16, Max McCormick was announced as the team's captain, with Andrew Poturalski and Gustav Olofsson being named alternate captains.[15]

First seasons (2022–present)

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The Firebirds played their first game on October 16, 2022, a 6–5 win against the Calgary Wranglers, and they also won the rematch the next day.[16] During the first stretch of the season later that month, the Firebirds played their home games in the Seattle metropolitan area, playing four games against the Abbotsford Canucks and the Wranglers at the Kraken Community Iceplex and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, as well as the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.[17] The Firebirds' first game at Acrisure Arena took place on December 18, a 4–3 win in front of a 10,087-people sellout crowd against the Tucson Roadrunners, with Cameron Hughes scoring the first ever home goal for the Firebirds, at the 8:49 mark in the first period.[18][19][20] From December 22, 2022, to January 26, 2023, the Firebirds achieved a fourteen game points streak, the current franchise record.[21] The Firebirds finished the 2022–23 season with 103 points, good for second place of the Pacific Division, behind only the Wranglers, who captured the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy. During the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs, the Firebirds captured the Western Conference title and advanced to the Calder Cup Finals, where they faced off against the Hershey Bears.[22] Goaltender Joey Daccord recorded back to back shutouts in the first two games of the series,[23] but despite this, the Firebirds would fall short of the championship, losing in overtime of game seven.[24]

On March 23, 2024, during the 2023–24 season the Firebirds clinched a playoff berth for the second consecutive season following a 4–3 shootout loss against the San Diego Gulls.[25] Eventually, the Firebirds won their first Pacific Division title, earning a bye in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs following a 3–1 win on April 10, 2024, over the Ontario Reign.[26] During the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs, the Firebirds again captured the Western Conference title[27] and progressed to the Calder Cup Finals, where they once-again faced off against the Hershey Bears. For the second straight season, the Firebirds fell short of the championship, losing in overtime of game six.[7]

Arena

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Main article: Acrisure Arena
ice rink surrounded by stands filled with fans, hockey players on the ice
Interior of Acrisure Arena during a 2023 Firebirds game

On June 26, 2019, it was reported that the ownership of the upcoming Seattle Kraken had chosen Palm Springs as the site for Seattle's AHL affiliate and that the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Oak View Group (OVG) had teamed up to build an arena on Band-owned land as a home for their proposed expansion team.[3] The 10,000-seat arena was estimated to cost $250 million. OVG chief executive officer (CEO) Tim Leiweke relied upon a feasibility study on the future of sports events and tourism in the Coachella Valley, independently authored by Coachella Sports & Entertainment Stadium Authority and the non-profit SoCal Coyotes Sports Leadership Organization, as proof of the viability for a multi-purpose venue in Palm Springs.[28] The proposed arena was to be constructed on part of the Spa Resort Casino's parking lots and be owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians with the OVG as the arena operator.[29] It would also have had an adjoining facility to serve as a year-round community gathering space as well as the training center for the AHL team.[30] Groundbreaking and construction on the arena was expected to begin in February 2020, with completion by fall 2021, but was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting ban on large gatherings including concerts and sporting events.[31][32] By September 2020, OVG's negotiations with the tribe had come to a halt and the agreement was ended due to COVID-19 financial impacts on the tribe.[33]

On September 16, 2020, OVG and the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation announced they had chosen a new location for the arena in the middle of the Coachella Valley near the city of Palm Desert, but it would not open until at least 2022.[34] The arena site is on Foundation land between Interstate 10 and the Foundation's Classic Club golf course, which OVG leases.[35] Groundbreaking on the project took place on June 2, 2021.[36]

During the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs, the Firebirds established an American Hockey League record for total playoff attendance with 138,053 fans attending 16 postseason games.[37]

On January 6, 2024, the AHL announced that the Firebirds and Acrisure Arena would host the 2025 AHL All-Star Game.[38]

Uniforms

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The Firebirds announced their inaugural season uniforms on January 24, 2022, at the Palm Springs Air Museum. They were delivered by the Seattle Kraken, the jerseys themselves in treasure chests. The Firebirds have two main uniforms, one a dark-blue color, and the other white. Both uniforms feature the Firebirds logo in the center, as well as red, orange, and light-blue stripes around the sleeves, with red and light-blue stripes in the bottom.[39] The blue eye color of the Firebird logo is a tie-in to the blue used by the Kraken.[11] The Kraken logo adorns one shoulder.[11]

On November 8, 2023, the team revealed their "Red Alert" third jersey in red with orange, black and light blue trim. The regular logo is replaced with the team's secondary logo.[40] The secondary logo is a mountain range with a palm tree in front. The palm tree has nine fronds, one for each city in the Coachella Valley. The team wears the third jersey for Sunday home games.[40]

Mascot

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The Firebirds' mascot is an orange, feathered bird named Fuego (Spanish for fire).[41] Fuego was announced on August 4, 2022, before the start of the season. Fuego wears a Firebirds jersey, featuring the number 22 on the back. His first game appearance was on October 16.[42]

Broadcasting

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Radio

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All Firebirds games are broadcast on KDGL (106.9 FM). The network broadcast all 72 games of the Firebirds' inaugural season.[43]

Television

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Firebirds games are split amongst KESQ-TV, FOX 11, and CW.[44]

Season-by-season record

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Main article: List of Coachella Valley Firebirds seasons
Regular season[2][45][46] Playoffs[47][48]
Season Games Won Lost OTL SOL Points PCT Goals
for 		Goals
against 		Standing Year Prelims 1st
round 		2nd
round 		3rd
round 		Finals
2022–23 72 48 17 5 2 103 .715 257 194 2nd, Pacific 2023 W, 2–1, TUC W, 3–2, COL W, 3–2, CGY W, 4–2, MIL L, 3–4, HER
2023–24 72 46 15 6 5 103 .715 252 182 1st, Pacific 2024 BYE W, 3–1, CGY W, 3–0, ONT W, 4–1, MIL L, 2–4, HER

Players and personnel

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Current roster

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Main article: List of Coachella Valley Firebirds players

Updated August 22, 2024.[49][50]

Team roster
No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
37 Russia Max Andreev F L 25 2023 Moscow, Russia Firebirds
– Canada Jackson Berezowski RW R 22 2024 Yorkton, Saskatchewan Firebirds
– United States Cade Borchardt F R 26 2024 Burnsville, Minnesota Firebirds
8 Canada Cale Fleury D R 25 2023 Calgary, Alberta Kraken
– Canada Damien Giroux C L 24 2024 Sudbury, Ontario Firebirds
88 Canada David Goyette F R 20 2024 Saint-Jérôme, Quebec Kraken
15 United States John Hayden C R 29 2022 Chicago, Illinois Kraken
10 Canada Luke Henman C L 24 2022 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Kraken
20 United States Ryan Jones D L 28 2023 Crown Point, Indiana Firebirds
31 Finland Niklas Kokko G R 20 2023 Oulu, Finland Kraken
45 Canada Jack LaFontaine G L 26 2023 Mississauga, Ontario Firebirds
17 United States Max McCormick (C) LW L 32 2022 De Pere, Wisconsin Kraken
21 Canada Ian McKinnon C L 26 2022 Whitby, Ontario Firebirds
2 United States Jake McLaughlin D L 28 2022 Hinsdale, Illinois Firebirds
63 Canada Jacob Melanson RW R 21 2023 Amherst, Nova Scotia Kraken
– Canada Cam Morrison LW L 26 2024 Aurora, Ontario Firebirds
96 Canada Logan Morrison C R 22 2023 Guelph, Ontario Kraken
24 Canada Ty Nelson D R 20 2024 Toronto, Ontario Kraken
12 Finland Jani Nyman RW L 20 2024 Valkeakoski, Finland Kraken
23 Sweden Gustav Olofsson (A) D L 29 2022 Boras, Sweden Kraken
36 Finland Ville Ottavainen D R 22 2023 Oulu, Finland Kraken
– Canada Turner Ottenbreit D L 27 2024 Yorkton, Saskatchewan Firebirds
32 Canada Tucker Robertson C R 21 2023 Toronto, Ontario Kraken
29 United States Lleyton Roed LW L 22 2024 White Bear Lake, Minnesota Kraken
30 Czech Republic Ales Stezka G L 27 2023 Plzeň, Czech Republic Kraken
27 Canada Ryan Winterton F R 21 2023 Markham, Ontario Kraken
– Canada Charlie Wright D L 20 2024 Olds, Alberta Firebirds
51 Canada Shane Wright C R 20 2022 Burlington, Ontario Kraken

Owners

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The team is owned by Oak View Group, the organization that also owns Climate Pledge Arena.[51] Tim Leiweke serves as their CEO.[52] Steve Fraser led as president of the Firebirds and Acrisure Arena from 2021-2023. His work established the team in the region, broke numerous AHL records for revenue and attendance and secured the 2025 AHL Allstar game.[53]

Head coaches

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Team captains

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Inaugural Firebirds captain Max McCormick.

Team and league honors

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League awards

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References

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  1. ^ "Firebirds to take flight in Coachella Valley". American Hockey League. November 5, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Coachella Valley Firebirds hockey team statistics and history at HockeyDB.com". HockeyDB. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Baker, Geoff (June 26, 2019). "NHL Seattle chooses Palm Springs as site for new AHL farm team". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "2022–23 American Hockey League Standings". HockeyDB. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  5. ^ Rotolo, Gina (June 25, 2023). "Bears best 'Birds' in Calder Cup Game 7". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "2023–24 American Hockey League Standings". HockeyDB. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Powers, Shad. "Another heartbreaker: Firebirds' season ends with 'painful' Game 6 OT loss at Hershey". The Desert Sun. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  8. ^ Rosen, Dan (December 4, 2018). "Seattle NHL expansion approved by Board of Governors". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "AHL expanding to Palm Springs in 2021–22". American Hockey League. September 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  10. ^ "Checkers Add Seattle Kraken as NHL Affiliate". Charlotte Checkers. July 28, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d "New Coachella Valley hockey team will be called Firebirds, with red, orange and black colors". The Desert Sun. November 5, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  12. ^ Rossi, Rob (July 24, 2022). "A different Dan Bylsma becomes a head coach again with Kraken's AHL Coachella Valley". The Athletic. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Jadulang, Tiani (June 21, 2022). "Coachella Valley Firebirds Hire Dan Bylsma as Head Coach". NBC Palm Springs. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  14. ^ Rotolo, Gina (July 11, 2022). "Coachella Valley Firebirds Sign First Two Players". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Arredondo, Bailey (October 16, 2022). "Firebirds win first ever game over Calgary, assign team captains and roster spots". KESQ. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  16. ^ Rotolo, Gina (October 18, 2022). "Firebirds Earn Second Consecutive Win Over Wranglers". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  17. ^ Rotolo, Gina (August 15, 2022). "Firebirds Announce Details for Seattle-Arena Game This October". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  18. ^ Reyes, Jesus; Arthur, Blake (December 19, 2022). "Historic home opener: Coachella Valley Firebirds win first game at sold out Acrisure Arena". KESQ. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  19. ^ John, Andrew L. (December 18, 2022). "Firebirds rock Acrisure Arena with 4–3 win in first game inside $500 million venue". The Desert Sun. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  20. ^ "Tucson Roadrunners at Coachella Valley Firebirds". American Hockey League. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  21. ^ Rotolo, Gina (January 27, 2023). "Kartye's Overtime Winner Extends Firebirds' Win Streak to Six". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  22. ^ Rotolo, Gina (June 6, 2023). "Firebirds Win Western Conference Championship, Advance to Calder Cup Finals". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  23. ^ Rotolo, Gina (June 11, 2023). "Daccord's Second Straight Shutout has Firebirds Up 2–0 in Finals". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  24. ^ Reyes, Jesus; Arthur, Blake (June 21, 2023). "Firebirds come up short of Calder Cup championship, fall to Hershey Bears in overtime of Game 7". KESQ. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  25. ^ Rotolo, Gina (March 23, 2024). "Firebirds Clinch Spot in 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  26. ^ Powers, Shad (April 10, 2024). "Clinched! Coachella Valley Firebirds claim Pacific Division title with win over Ontario". The Desert Sun. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  27. ^ "Firebirds repeat as Western Conference champions". American Hockey League. June 8, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  28. ^ "Hockey in Palm Springs? NHL Insiders Confirm Rumors". NBC Palm Springs. June 20, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  29. ^ Newell, Shane; Johnson, Risa (June 26, 2019). "Agua Caliente plans new downtown Palm Springs sports, entertainment arena. Projected cost for arena is $250M". The Desert Sun. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  30. ^ Reichard, Kevin (July 28, 2019). "Surprise: Early Reaction to New Palm Springs Arena Includes Parking, Traffic Concerns". Arena Digest. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  31. ^ Ulrich, Amanda (June 17, 2020). "Palm Springs arena plans on hold during coronavirus pandemic, CEO confirms". The Desert Sun. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  32. ^ Simon, Daniel; Johnson, Risa; Hong, Joseph (June 27, 2019). "Agua Caliente's Palm Springs arena plan stokes excitement — and fears of traffic, blocked views". The Desert Sun. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  33. ^ "Seattle Kraken delays AHL franchise by 1 year". ESPN. September 16, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  34. ^ Powers, Shad (September 16, 2020). "Seattle Kraken AHL affiliate will still play in Coachella Valley; won't start until 2022–23 season". The Desert Sun. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  35. ^ Ulrich, Amanda; Daniels, Melissa; Powers, Shad (September 16, 2020). "Planned Palm Springs arena is moving to mid-valley; Agua Caliente tribe no longer involved". The Desert Sun. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  36. ^ John, Andrew (June 2, 2021). "Coachella Valley arena: After two years of discussion, officials break ground on future home". The Desert Sun. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  37. ^ "AHL establishes playoff attendance record". American Hockey League. June 12, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  38. ^ "Coachella Valley to host 2025 AHL All-Star Classic". American Hockey League. January 6, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  39. ^ "First Look: The Coachella Valley Firebirds Unveil Team Jerseys". NBC Palm Springs. January 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  40. ^ a b @Firebirds (November 8, 2023). "Introducing Our Red Alert Jersey" (Tweet). Retrieved March 24, 2023 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ Price, Miyoshi (August 4, 2022). "Meet Fuego! Coachella Valley Firebirds unveil mascot". KESQ. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  42. ^ Powers, Shad (August 4, 2022). "Meet Fuego! Coachella Valley Firebirds unveil official mascot". The Desert Sun. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  43. ^ Rotolo, Gina (October 13, 2022). "Firebirds Announce Broadcast Partners". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  44. ^ Powers, Shad (October 13, 2022). "The Eagle 106.9 FM and KESQ TV named broadcast partners of Coachella Valley Firebirds". The Desert Sun. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  45. ^ "2022–23 American Hockey League Standings". HockeyDB. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  46. ^ "2023–24 American Hockey League Standings". HockeyDB. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  47. ^ "American Hockey League 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs". American Hockey League. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  48. ^ "American Hockey League 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs". American Hockey League. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  49. ^ "Coachella Valley Firebirds current roster". Elite Prospects. August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  50. ^ "Coachella Valley Firebirds current roster". Coachella Valley Firebirds. August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  51. ^ Rotolo, Gina (December 9, 2021). "Oak View Group Grows Team at Coachella Valley Arena". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  52. ^ "Stand Together and Oak View Group Announce Exclusive Social Impact Partnership for New Venue and Team with Acrisure Arena and Coachella Valley Firebirds". Stand Together. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  53. ^ Villarreal, Pristine (February 28, 2023). "Steve Fraser No Longer Associated with Coachella Valley Firebirds, Oak View Group". NBC Palm Springs. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  54. ^ Condor, Bob (May 28, 2024). "Bylsma Named Next Kraken Coach". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  55. ^ "Seattle Kraken Hire Derek Laxdal as Head Coach of the Coachella Valley Firebirds". National Hockey League. July 5, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  56. ^ "First-year Firebirds win Western Conference crown". American Hockey League. June 6, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  57. ^ "Firebirds repeat as Western Conference champions". American Hockey League. June 8, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  58. ^ "Firebirds win Pacific Divison, earn first round bye in Calder Cup playoffs". Coachella Valley Firebirds. April 10, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
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