Coachella Valley Firebirds April 16 Calder Cup Update

"One of the greatest success stories in hockey history."

Connor McDavid? 3-on-3 overtimes? Gritty?

None of the above. The reference is to the Seattle Kraken's two-year-old AHL farm team in Coachella Valley, California. And the speaker knows a bit about hockey history - the legendary Ken Cambell has covered the sport for closing on 40 years.

So Ken, please continue.

"While the NHL's Arizona Coyotes are capturing all the headlines as the team is likely to relocate to Utah, here's proof that hockey works in the desert, especially when a team keeps winning."

The Firebirds do keep winning. In their inaugural season, they made it within a Game 7 overtime goal of winning the AHL version of the Stanley Cup. Even with a slow start this year, Coachella Valley will finish as Western Division champs, sporting the second-best record in the 32-team league.

In a recent story and video for The Hockey News , Ken writes, "They've been a smashing success, both in the standings and on the business side of the game."

(The Palm Desert, CA high temperature by Saturday is forecast to reach 100 degrees. I'd pay money to sit rinkside at Acrisure Arena even if there wasn't a game that day.)

Coachella Valley's .725 winning percentage (45-14-10) is all the more remarkable because of a lineup continually in flux. The parent Kraken called up no fewer than 13 different Firebirds at various points during the season, but their farm team never seemed to miss a beat.

Once the Firebirds dispose of their three remaining regular season games, it's on to the Calder Cup Playoffs, a five-round affair. However, by virtue of their division title, the Firebirds earned a free pass into the second round.

Once they begin postseason play, this site will follow their progress with in-depth reports. We'll especially focus on prospects - forwards like Shane Wright and Ryan Winterton - who will vie for roster spots with the Kraken in training camp come the fall.