The Seattle Kraken’s AHL farm team in Coachella Valley tonight opens defense of its Western Conference title – actually, defense of the last two Western Conference titles – with an opening night hosting of the Bakersfield Condors.
Glenn Dreyfuss screengrab
That matchup at Acrisure Arena will come with a new bench boss for the Firebirds, Derek Laxdal. The opening was created when Dan Bylsma was promoted to head coach of the Kraken.
Laxdal has spent the last several weeks in Seattle, mentoring many of the prospects who will play for the Firebirds this season.
Laxdal’s own hockey journey includes 17 playing seasons as a pro, 67 games of which came in the NHL with the Maple Leafs and Islanders.
He returned to the NHL as a Dallas Stars assistant coach, and has also made prior head coaching stops in the AHL and OHL. In his own words, Laxdal describes his most recent assignment with the Oshawa Generals, his coaching priorities, and how this year’s training camp prepared him for the Firebirds’ season.
DJLR relies on the support of the community to keep the site going and our writers paid. Any donation is appreciated.