![]() ![]() He scored a pivotal goal in Monday's clinching Western Conference Final home win against Milwaukee and has three goals and 13 assists to date in this Cup run.ĬVF coach Bylsma speaks highly about a pair of young undrafted free agents signed out of Finland's pro league, forward Ville Petman and defenseman Peetro Seppala, along with forward Luke Henman (first player signed to a pro contract by Seattle). He was not picked in the 2020 draft and he is proving 31 other NHL franchises wrong with his AHL-elite play in all zones. Defenseman Ryker Evans, selected 35 th over in the 2021 NHL Draft, suited up and starred for the Firebirds this season because he was drafted as a 19-year-old. Kartye scored three postseason goals, sports an NHL-elite shot, and played a notably physical game in his first-ever NHL games.Īlong with tuning in (viewing on for a small charge is another option), Kraken fans can follow our " Firebirds Cup Run Blog" to scope young Coachella Valley players and seasoned AHL veterans who could very well be skating in Seattle jerseys in the 2023-24 NHL regular season. See Players Likely to Play for Kraken Sooner than LaterĪHL rookie of the year Tye Kartye is another shining example of great work by Kraken/Firebirds hockey minds and another inviting reason to get behind the first-year Firebirds bid for the Calder Cup: He was signed as an undrafted free agent last March, improved geometrically during the inaugural season and, of course, scored his first NHL goal on his first NHL shot in his first NHL game when called up to fill in for 40-goal scorer Jared McCann. Plus, Francis, Bodie, and the Seattle front office have signed players such as captain and AHL postseason leading scorer Max McCormick in the summer of 2021 and, this past summer, Swedish forward Jesper Froden (among goal-scoring leaders in the first half of the AHL regular season before being called up to the Kraken and now back with CVF for the postseason). The restriction that players must return to their major juniors teams if they don't make the Kraken 23-man active roster as teenagers coming out of training camp (or returned to those Canadian Hockey League teams once the young player has competed in nine or fewer NHL games) is due to a long-time agreement with the CHL, considered the top and deepest source of talent for the NHL Draft.įrancis used the NHL expansion draft to select a preferred handful of young players with NHL experience who could help the organization at both levels of pro play. The task was particularly challenging for Seattle as an expansion team because most draft choices in the team's first two draft classes (20) were not eligible to play at the pro level this season. Consider that intention more than a work in progress: Coachella Valley has already won four rounds of rugged AHL competition, including four victories in elimination games in which losing meant the end of the impressive playoff run. "It's vital to the long-term success of our organization."Īnother big reason is because Francis and his hockey operations group, most especially Firebirds executive Troy Bodie, head coach Dan Bylsma, and assistant coaches Jessica Campbell and Stu Bickel, are intent on building a winning culture in the Southern California desert that aligns with the Kraken organization. "The AHL plays such a key role in the development of NHL players," said Ron Francis, Kraken GM. The AHL affiliate also stocks NHL-tested players who can serve as trusted reserves when inevitable injuries affect the depth of the NHL roster (and good thing Alaska Airlines has multiple direct flights from Palm Springs to Seattle daily). Each of the NHL's 32 teams, including the Washington Capitals doing the same with Hershey, have a developmental team for which they can add young players to gain valuable ice time facing stronger and older opponents at a pace of play closest to the NHL in the world. Here's a look at why to watch the Calder Cup Final:ĭeveloping the Future, Planning for the Presentįor one, Coachella Valley is the AHL affiliate for the Kraken. ![]() puck drop for Games 1 and 2) at 32 Bar and Grill at Kraken Community Iceplex or tune in to ROOT for full coverage. The title begins with a pair of Firebirds home games Thursday and Saturday nights against the East champion Hershey Bears. There are many reasons for Kraken fans to appreciate and take a rooting interest in the American Hockey League's Western Conference champions Coachella Valley advancing to the Calder Cup Final.
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