Report: Firebirds’ Dan Bylsma to be next head coach for Seattle Kraken
Coachella Valley Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma is moving up to the NHL, according to several reports.
The Seattle Kraken have hired Bylsma as their new head coach, as first reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
The Kraken fired their head coach Dave Hakstol last month after missing the playoffs this past season. He was the only head coach in the team's three-year history.
Seattle, the Firebirds' NHL affiliate, is set to make a "special announcement" Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The Firebirds have practice from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma expected to be introduced tomorrow as Seattle Kraken new head coach. @FriedgeHNIC was first with this. Bylsma led the Birds to the Calder Cup Finals in their inaugural season and has the team currently in the @TheAHL conference finals. @KESQ
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) May 27, 2024
In two seasons in charge of the Firebirds, Bylsma has amassed a 94-32-18 record, including a Calder Cup Finals appearance. The Firebirds are set to play in the Western Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Admirals, the series starts on Wednesday.
Sources tell News Channel 3 sports anchor Blake Arthur that Bylsma will finish out the rest of the season with the Firebirds.
Expected to be named @SeattleKraken head coach tomorrow, I'm told Dan Bylsma will finish out the rest of the season with the Firebirds. CV is in the Western Conference Finals vs the Milwaukee Admirals. Game 1 is Wednesday. Bylsma and the Birds have some unfinished business. @KESQ
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) May 28, 2024
With Dan Bylsma getting promoted to the big club with the @SeattleKraken, I'd look for Jessica Campbell (@boof_campbell) to get the Firebirds head coaching job. She's been under Bylsma's tutelage and is highly regarded. @KESQ @TheAHL @InsideAHLHockey @FPC_AHL @CValleyAHL_Fanz pic.twitter.com/BOrhJANFdJ
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) May 28, 2024
Bylsma has eight seasons as an NHL head coach under his belt, helming the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. His six-year run with the Penguins saw him win a Stanley Cup (2009) and a Jack Adams Award (2011) recognizing him as the league's most outstanding coach.
Asked @Firebirds HC Dan Bylsma about this recently. His name has to be atop the list for @SeattleKraken and other @NHL teams. However, as expected, Bylsma was quick to shut it down. DB is focused on one thing right now, and that's winning a Calder Cup with the @Firebirds. @KESQ https://t.co/7PuDSyUShQ pic.twitter.com/ahYWN90Vo4
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) April 29, 2024
He was at one point the winningest coach in Penguins history with 252 wins. That record was surpassed in 2021.
His last stop as a head coach in the NHL was with the Buffalo Sabres from 2015 to 2017. From 2018 to 2021, Bylsma was an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings.
Bylsma also coached Team USA in the 2014 Winter Olympics, finishing fourth. He won a bronze medal as an assistant coach for Team USA in the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on the Firebirds.
