Coachella Valley Firebirds Sign Former Fifth-Round Pick And ECHL All-Rookie Team Member To AHL Contracts

The Coachella Valley Firebirds have signed Damien Giroux to an AHL contract and have re-signed Max Andreev.

The former Minnesota Wild fifth-round pick scored four goals and 11 points in 30 games with the Rochester Americans. He also played with Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL where he recorded seven goals and 15 points in 17 games.

The 24-year-old is listed at 5'10, 176 lbs and is a left-handed forward who recorded one assist in his only career NHL game. Before beginning his professional career with the Wild's franchise, Giroux captained the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. In his four-year career with the Spirit, he scored 101 goals and 194 points in 249 games.

The Firebirds have also announced that they have re-signed Max Andreev, a 25-year-old, 6'0 centre. During the 2023-24 season, he played just five games with the Firebirds and failed to register a point. He did however play 63 games with the Kansas City Mavericks where he scored 19 goals and 73 points.

The Russian forward was named to the ECHL all-rookie team following his dominant season with the Mavericks.

Both Andreev and Giroux will be depth players for the Firebirds this season but could also find themselves with the Mavericks if they struggle in the AHL or if the roster becomes too crowded.

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