Firebirds Coach Headed To Seattle Kraken

PALM DESERT, CA — The Coachella Valley Firebirds' Dan Bylsma was announced Tuesday as the next head coach of the Seattle Kraken.

The Kraken finished fifth in the National Hockey League's Pacific Division in 2024 with a 34-35-13 record.

Bylsma has previously been a head coach of two other NHL franchises, winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 after taking over mid-season. He also played over 400 games for the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.

Following his NHL coaching stints, Bylsma joined the Florida Panthers' American Hockey League affiliate team, the Charlotte Checkers, for the 2021- 22 season. The Checkers were also serving as the Kraken's temporary affiliate before they had one of their own.

When the Firebirds were announced as the NHL expansion team's new AHL affiliate, Bylsma was hired as head coach in June 2022.

Under Bylsma, the Firebirds reached the Calder Cup Finals in 2023, losing a decisive Game 7 of a best-of-seven series in overtime. This year, Bylsma has coached the Firebirds to a second consecutive Western Conference Finals appearance, which will begin Wednesday against the Milwaukee Admirals at Acrisure Arena.