Longtime NHL Player, Coach Heads To Coachella Valley Firebirds

PALM DESERT, CA — There are shifting sands in the California desert as the Coachella Valley Firebirds have a new head coach.

Friday, the Seattle Kraken announced that Derek Laxdal as the new head coach of the franchise’s American Hockey League affiliate, Coachella Valley Firebirds. Laxdal succeeds Dan Bylsma, becoming the Firebirds’ second head coach in franchise history.

“We are pleased to welcome Derek and his family to the Coachella Valley Firebirds,” said Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis in a recent news release. “Derek has a successful history of coaching and developing players at all levels. We look forward to him leading our group as we continue to build upon the foundation we have established in the AHL and the local community in our first two years in the Valley.”

Laxdal, 58, joins Coachella Valley from the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals. There, he led his team last season to an 89-point (40-19-7) regular season record and a spot in the Championship Series of that league. As a result, he was voted Coach of the Year by his coaching peers from across the league.

A former NHL player and long-time coach across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, Western Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League is a proven winner with a clear mission to develop players for the next step in hockey, according to a statement from the Seattle Kraken.

John Page, Senior Vice President of Oak View Group/Acrisure Arena/Coachella Valley Firebirds, also expressed his enthusiasm for bringing Laxdal to the desert.

“We are excited to welcome Derek to the Firebirds. Our first two years in the Coachella Valley have been outstanding and we believe we have set a high standard in the American Hockey League,” Page said. “We thank Dan Bylsma and Jessica Campbell for their tremendous contributions. We have built something special here and we look forward to continuing our momentum as we hit the ice again next season in front of our great fans.”

Discussing the move, Laxdal thanked the Kraken ownership and others.

“I would like to thank Ron Francis, David Bonderman, Samantha Holloway and the entire Seattle Kraken ownership group for the opportunity to lead the Firebirds,” he said. “I look forward to the season and meeting the great fans in Coachella Valley. My family and I look forward to making the Valley our new home."

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