The Oct. 23 contest is the second Seattle date for the Firebirds, who will play Abbotsford Oct. 21 at Kraken Community Iceplex in a private game for specially invited guests. Of the other two games, another will be played Oct. 29 (3 p.m. start) at Kraken Community Iceplex for randomly selected Kraken season ticket members. The fourth game is Oct. 28 against the Calgary Wranglers at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. Ticket information is available
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"It's extremely exciting for players and the organization to play in the Seattle area and especially at Climate Pledge Arena," said Steve Fraser, Firebirds team president. "Playing at the Kraken's world-class home arena and in Everett represents a great way to showcase our team and our players.
"Fans will be able to see what's coming in terms of future players for the Kraken [including those who will be called up for NHL games this season]. We are developing future players for the Kraken and it starts now. We're thrilled fans in Seattle can be a part of it."
The Firebirds open the 2022-23 season on the road Oct. 16 and 17 against Calgary, the former Stockton (CA) Heat franchise. Coachella Valley will play 20 of their first 24 games on the road as the team and desert region fans eagerly await the opening of the brand-new Acrisure Arena.
The Firebirds team is coached by Stanley Cup-winning coach Dan Bylsma along with assistant coach Jessica Campbell (the first woman behind an AHL bench in that role). Fraser and former NHLer Troy Bodie, Firebirds director of hockey and business operations, have been busy this summer building out a roster in collaboration with Kraken GM Ron Francis and the hockey operations group. Among notables signed this summer and participating in Kraken training camp are forward Andrew Poturalski and Cameron Hughes.
"The skill level of the players on the ice, the speed of the game, the ability of the talent and the individuals, is similar to the National Hockey League," said Fraser. "There's good reason why more than 94 percent of the players that play in the National Hockey League have played in the American Hockey League [before fully advancing to an NHL roster]."
Poturalski won his second consecutive AHL scoring title last season, leading the Chicago Wolves to the Calder Cup championship. Hughes was the Providence Bruins' leading scorer in 2021-22, and played for Kraken assistant coach Jay Leach during mutual seasons in Providence.
In future years, the AHL roster will be stacked with the team's draft choices on the verge of breaking into the NHL. This season, expect six to eight Firebirds players, maybe more, to see time with the Kraken this season.
"We're extremely excited about the caliber of players who will be playing in our opening games and all season," said Fraser. "We are building a strong team that we anticipate can hit the ground running and be very competitive in the American Hockey League right from the start."
