Time to light the fire anew!

Back in action at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert for the franchise’s third season of play, the Coachella Valley Firebirds return to Greater Palm Springs for 2024-25 with a new head coach, reworked roster, and eyes on adding to the team’s already formidable mantle.

After capturing two consecutive Western Conference championships in their first two seasons of American Hockey League play, the Coachella Valley Firebirds saw inaugural head coach Dan Bylsma earn a deserved promotion to the team’s NHL parents club, the Seattle Kraken. In turn, Firebirds assistant coach Jessica Campbell was also hired to fill the same role in Seattle, earning global coverage as the first-ever woman to work an NHL bench.  

Enter fresh frontman Derek Laxdal, who arrives on the Firebirds bench with 20 years of coaching experience across six different leagues, including his time as former head coach of the AHL’s Texas Stars from 2014-20, and subsequent job as assistant for the team’s parent, the NHL’s Dallas Stars, from 2020-22; most recently, Laxdal served as head coach and assistant GM of the OHL’s Oshawa Generals. In Campbell’s absence, the Coachella Valley Firebirds have hired rising star Brennan Sonne as new assistant, with the coach coming to Greater Palm Springs after a trio of successful seasons as frontman of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.
 

Roster Remake

Coachella Valley Firebirds fans will enjoy a tapestry of familiar faces and stud prospects across the new season. While the team ultimately returns 11 of the 20 men who dressed in Game 6 of last year’s Calder Cup Championship Finals, a roster remake includes a host of off-season free agent acquisitions and a cache of former Kraken draft picks.

Among the returning players are frontliners Max McCormick, John Hayden, Luke Henman, Ryan Winterton, Jacob Melanson, and Logan Morrison. Defenders back in Greater Palm Springs this season include Cale Fleury, Gustav Olofsson, and Ville Ottavainen. In net, Ales Stezka remains the team’s top goaltender, following a 2023-24 campaign in which the Czech native recorded a stellar 18-6-2-2 mark.

As for the newcomers, highly touted Jagger Firkus arrives in the desert as one of the game's most exciting prospects. Nicknamed “Firkus the Circus,” the 20-year-old avidly scoring forward amassed an amazing 158 points in 83 games for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League last season.

Eyes will also be on 19-year-old frontliner Eduard Sale; the 20th overall pick of the ’23 NHL draft, Sale tallied 30 points in 34 games last year while playing for the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL.

On the backline, 20-year-old defenseman Ty Nelson is built like a football linebacker and will fast grab the attentions of the Acrisure faithful. With a nose for the net, Nelson’s unique build and penchant for physicality should translate to becoming a local fan favorite.
 

Schedule, Promotions and All-Star Classic

Skating from mid-October through mid-April, the Coachella Valley Firebirds’ 72-game regular season campaign features 36 home contests and a full lineup of fan activations.

An impressive 17 different theme nights — most with accompanying giveaways — may be found across the seasonal slate, including:

• Dia de los Muertos (Friday, October 25)
• Teddy Bear Toss (Saturday, December 28)
• New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, December 31)
• Pride Night (Saturday, January 11)
• Kid’s Night (Sunday, February 16)
• St. Patrick’s Day (Saturday, March 15)
• Kraken Night Bobblehead (Saturday, April 12)

And highlighting the regular season schedule: As announced last year, the Firebirds and Acrisure Arena are playing host to this season’s AHL All-Star Classic on February 2-3, 2025. The dual-day event includes the AHL’s Skills Competition, All-Star Challenge game brackets, and the annual AHL Hall of Fame Induction.

All-Star tickets are included in seasonal memberships but individual game and event tickets can be found HERE. 

How to Buy Tickets

To attend the Firebirds’ theme nights, regular season, and (sticks crossed) post-season games, visit the team’s Ticket Central for full details. Ranging from single-game tickets to flex plans to half-season, full-season, and group packages, options abound to see the ’birds fly. And for those seeking especially unique Acrisure Arena ice hockey experiences, be sure to swoop over to Premium options, including Lounge and Chairman’s Club access, along with the Silvercrest Compound experience, which proves perfect for a pairing of puck and party.
 

Berger Foundation Iceplex

In concert with the Coachella Valley Firebirds' rapid on-ice success turning the team and arena into a valley centerpiece for locals and visitors alike, the rink adjacent has enjoyed equal applause for all manner of year-round blade play.

With a full menu of skating options and opportunities for all ages and skill levels, the Berger Foundation Iceplex has quickly become a popular communal cooldown for families, kids, and adults aiming for some ice time.

Open daily, the Berger Foundation Iceplex sports a full calendar of activities, including (but certainly not limited to):

• Co-ed adult and youth hockey leagues
• NHL “Learn to Play” programs (which includes free equipment)
• Open public sessions
• Figure skating
• The CV SK8 Academy

The Berger Foundation Iceplex will also debut recreational broomball play this year, with a four-week introductory calendar. Also new this season: Public skating sessions have been revamped with specialty disco lights for “an exciting and electrifying skating experience.”

In addition, for those looking to lace-up come December, the Iceplex will unveil its first annual CV Ice Fest Adult League Tournament (December 6-8), along with “Winter Wonderland Themed” skates featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus on December 7 and 13.