Prospecting: Firebirds Red-Hot

On a Friday night in mid-December, the Kraken's American Hockey League affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds collected an 8-1 road win over the San Diego. Forward Jesper Froden notched a hat trick, five other Firebirds tallied goals, and 14 different players earned points in a season-long pattern of scoring from the top to bottom of the roster. Coachella Valley's record improved to 14-5-3.
Two days later, Dec. 18, the Firebirds played their first home game of their inaugural season in brand-new Acrisure Arena - after 22 AHL road games across five states and two Canadian provinces. Matching the historic occasion there was an abundance of pomp and circumstance.
The pomp was firmly in place with a mariachi band playing its version of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire." Player introductions involved dimming the lights and a roaring sellout crowd cheering each Firebird as he skated between two pillars of fire shooting straight up.

The circumstance was the AHL's 32nd franchise returning from the grueling road schedule over three calendar months with a 63.6 win percentage. The Firebirds won that game, 4-3, with goals from the aforementioned Froden, plus rookie AHL forward Tye Kartye and NHL-tested veterans John Hayden and Cameron Hughes (who scored the first-ever goal in the new $500 million arena that will be home to hockey and lots of music).
"Our home opener was so cool," said Andrew Poturalski, Firebirds center, and alternate captain. "I'd say it was right up there with NHL atmospheres. The level of support from our fans and community is so amazing. I think all the boys feed off the energy from the crowd."
"It's been a journey for sure, starting in Seattle [training camp, then based here until the training facility was accessible in early November] and 22 games away from Coachella Valley," said Coachella Valley head coach Dan Bylsma, who led the Pittsburgh Penguins to the 2009 Stanley Cup title, appeared in 429 NHL games as a forward and played for six different AHL teams as part of a 12-season playing career. "That's daunting when you think about it. But our guys have taken it as a challenge. One of our mantras is "we're doing this together in everything we do."
Poturalski agrees with his coach's perspective: "We had some time to bond while we were all in Seattle. We were all on the road together and got to know each other pretty quickly. Everybody was on the same page early."
Even so, 22 straight-away games is a heavy load. Credit goes to Bylsma and his coaching staff (assistant coaches Stu Bickel and Jessica Campbell, plus goalie coach Colin Zulianello), plus director of hockey operations Troy Bodie and the Kraken front office for putting together an impressive mix of veterans plus five AHL rookies putting together solid seasons as first-year pros in North America.
Bylsma said his veteran players have embraced "the badge of honor to have the opportunity to be the first team in Coachella Valley history." He said captain Max McCormick and alternate captain Andrew Poturalski have provided great leadership, along with Alexander True and John Hayden. He likely could have named four or five more experienced Firebirds mentoring younger teammates that includes Kraken prospects and AHL rookies Ryker Evans, Tye Kartye, Ville Pettman and Peetro Seppala, along with second-year AHLer Luke Henman.
Poturalski is tied for the team lead in scoring with Kole Lind, the 24-year-old who appeared in 23 games for Kraken last season. Poturalski was named playoff MVP for leading the AHL Chicago Wolves to the league's Calder Cup championship last year.
On Wednesday, Poturalski and Kraken 2021 second-round draft pick Evans were selected to represent Coachella Valley at the AHL All-Star Classic on Feb. 6 and 7 in Laval, Quebec. Evans has three goals and 18 assists to date, leading all rookie defensemen in assists and top seven among all D-men. His 21 points is tied for the top spot for points by a rookie AHL defenseman.
The Firebirds have continued to prosper after moving into the new digs, which include state-of-the-art training facilities and a practice rink. They downed Edmonton Oilers affiliate Bakersfield in an overtime home win Friday with Froden scoring twice and McCormick ringing up the OT winner. Coachella Valley leads the Pacific Division and own the best overall record (23-6-3-1, .765 win percentage) in the 32-team AHL.
Coachella Valley will no doubt be challenged by the division rival Calgary Wranglers (formerly the Stockton Heat), who are three standing points behind the Firebirds in the division and third overall in the league in win percentage. The Kraken affiliate has won nine of its last 10 games with the solo loss via shootout.
"Our depth is our biggest strength," said Poturalski. "We get scoring from all four of our lines pretty much on a nightly basis. We have a lot of good players who distribute the puck [Poturalski leads the team in assists himself]. Coach Bylsma has done a great job of getting us together, getting our team clicking, and showing what it takes to be a good team."