Kraken Farm Team Still Finding Its Way

But First, Shameless Self-Promotion

The legendary Maven, Stan Fischler, is the solar system’s longest-serving, not to mention most quick-witted and insightful hockey journalist. In addition to authoring more than 100 books on the sport, Stan began writing columns for The Hockey News about a week after Gutenberg invented the printing press.

I’m proud to call him a friend. I’m doubly proud that when he wanted to write about the Kaapo Kakko trade for his latest THN column, he solicited my views. You can read his piece here. (Thanks for indulging me!)

Firebirds Off To Lukewarm AHL Start

Farm teams of NHL clubs often suffer the same fate as successful college football and basketball programs. The better the results, the more likely the team is to lose players.

After back-to-back Western Conference titles, the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds are still finding their way, 28 games into Season 3. Standouts Shane Wright and Ryker Evans earned promotion to the parent Seattle Kraken, as did coaches Dan Bylsma and Jessica Campbell. Other major contributors who’ve moved on included goalie Chris Driedger, 25-goal scorer Cameron Hughes, and veterans Marian Studenic and Devin Shore. New coach Derek Laxdal’s team returned just 11 players who suited up for more than five Firebirds games last season.

Coachella Valley currently sits 6th in the 10-team Pacific Division with a 13-11-4 record, good for 30 standings points. Recent bugaboos have included losing leads, which has happened in each of their current three-game losing streak. The Firebirds are 13th in the 32-team AHL in goals for (85), but 23rd in goals against (86). Special teams have also been a sore spot, with the penalty kill 18th and the power play dead last.

The good news is that open slots have been filled by a slew of highly-touted Kraken prospects, getting their first extended tastes of North American pro hockey.

These include forwards Jani Nyman, tied for the team lead with nine goals; Jagger Firkus (6 goals, 15 points); Eduard Sale (4 goals, 13 points); Lleyton Roed (5 goals, 10 points); David Goyette (1 goal, 2 points); and defenseman Ty Nelson (1 goal, 9 points).

The goaltending has been shared between holdover Ales Stezka, Drieger’s understudy last season (18 games, 2.94 GAA, .906 save %), and newcomer Niklas Kokko, who impressed last season in the Finnish Elite League (11 games, 2.67 GAA, .902 save %).

Coachella Valley returns from its holiday break with a game tonight in Bakersfield, CA against the Condors. (Who does Kraken writer Bob Condor root for when these teams meet?) Back home at Acrisure Arena on Saturday vs. Ontario is the always-anticipated “Teddy Bear Toss.” After the first Firebirds goal, fans get to throw teddy bears they’ve brought with them onto the ice, where they’re collected for charity. This is what the scene looked like last year:

From Palm Desert Straight To The Hall Of Fame

You might be surprised to learn that the Kraken farm club is already represented at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

The text accompanying the photo at right reads, “Coachella Valley Firebirds jersey worn by rookie forward Shane Wright through the 2023 AHL Calder Cup Final.

“Making the club’s inaugural AHL season as an affiliate of the Seattle Kraken, the 18-year old Wright played in 24 post-season games, recording nine points as the Western Conference champion Firebirds ultimately fell in seven games to Hershey.”

There’s one other CV sweater behind glass at the HHOF.

The plaque above the display reads, “Game-worn Coachella Valley Roadrunners jersey by team captain Bob Tranchida during the 2023 inaugural Greater Springs International LGBTQ+ Hockey Tournament, presented by the Coachella Valley Firebirds.”

The league’s mission is “to introduce hockey to the LGBTQ+ community in the Coachella Valley, allowing everyone to enjoy the game of hockey in a safe and inclusive space.”