SEATTLE, WA – July 5, 2024 – Today, the Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) announced that Derek Laksdal has been hired as the new head coach of the franchise’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Laksdal succeeds Dan Bylsma and becomes just the second head coach in Firebirds franchise history.
“We are pleased to welcome Derek and his family to the Coachella Valley Firebirds,” said Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis. “Derek has a history of success coaching and developing players at all levels, and we look forward to him leading our team as we continue to build on the foundation he built in the AHL and in our local community during his first two years in the Valley.”
Laksdal, 58, joins the Coachella Valley from the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he led the team to 89 regular season points (40 wins, 19 losses and 7 ties) last season and a berth in the OHL Championship Series, which resulted in him being named OHL Coach of the Year by his fellow coaches across the league.
Laksdal joined Oshawa as head coach and assistant general manager in 2022 after serving as an assistant coach with the NHL's Dallas Stars for three seasons. Prior to coming to Dallas, Laksdal served as head coach with the franchise's AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, for six seasons from 2014-2020. He appeared in 380 games behind the bench in the AHL, compiling a record of 189 wins, 139 losses and 52 ties, including a seven-game loss to the Toronto Marlies in the 2018 Calder Cup Finals. Laksdal won two WHL titles with the Edmonton Oil Kings (2011-12 and 2013-14) and reached the pinnacle of junior hockey by winning the Memorial Cup with the Oil Kings in 2014.
“We are excited to welcome Derek to the Firebirds. His first two years in the Coachella Valley have been outstanding and we believe we have set a high standard in the American Hockey League,” said John Page, senior vice president of Oak View Group/Acrisure Arena/Coachella Valley Firebirds. “We thank Dan Bylsma and Jessica Campbell for their tremendous contributions. We have built something special here and we look forward to continuing this momentum by taking to the ice again in front of our amazing fans next season.”
“I would like to thank Ron Francis, David Bonderman, Samantha Holloway and the entire Seattle Kraken ownership group for the opportunity to lead the Firebirds,” said Derek Laksdal. “I am excited for the season to begin and look forward to meeting all the great fans in the Coachella Valley. My family and I look forward to making the Valley our new home.”
Laksdal's professional coaching career also includes five years with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL, where he achieved a winning record in all five seasons and led the Steelheads to two Kelly Cup Championship Finals, winning in 2007 and finishing as runner-up in 2010. Additionally, he won the ECHL Coach of the Year award along with the 2007 championship win.
Prior to coaching, Laksdal played six seasons (1984-85 to 1990-91) with the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders. He played a total of 27 seasons as a professional hockey player in multiple leagues including the NHL, AHL, ECHL and WHL. During his professional career he won two championships, the AHL Calder Cup in 1990 and the B&H Cup (formerly the British Autumn Cup) in 1997. He also represented Canada in international competition, winning a silver medal at the U20 World Junior Championship in 1985-86.
