Former Coachella Valley Firebirds Defenseman To Join German Team

Former Coachella Valley Firebirds defenseman Mitch Reinke will be joining Eisbären Berlin of the DEL in Germany.

Reinke spent the 2023-24 season with the Firebirds scoring one goal and five points in 25 games. The 28-year-old defenseman has spent his entire pro career in the AHL with the San Antonio Rampage (St. Louis Blues), Utica Comets (New Jersey Devils) and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins).

Playing in Europe could be the fresh start the Stillwater, Minnesota native needs. His opportunity to play more in North America continued to diminish with each passing season and a change of scenery might resurrect his career.

The Seattle Kraken signed the right-handed d-man to a two-way contract on Sep. 2, 2023, but he never played a game in the NHL.

Reinke is joining the 2023-24 DEL champions. Eisbären Berlin has won three of the last four championships.

Make sure you bookmark THN’s Seattle Kraken site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Related: Five Kraken Players Crack The Athletic's Top 100 Drafted Prospects List

Related: Kraken's Upper Deck 2024 NHL Draft Spotlight: Berkly Catton