ABBOTSFORD, BC – Even before the American Hockey League's Coachella Valley Firebirds swept a two-game series against the Abbotsford Canucks this past weekend, head coach Derek Laxdal smiled when asked if he was still excited.
For context, he is in his 20th year as a head coach with minor league teams in the Western Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League as well as hockey stops in the Central Hockey League, ECHL, and AHL. His playing days as a right-wing began at age 16 in the WHL in 1982 and extended to 2000-01, including 67 NHL games with Toronto and the New York Islanders, hundreds of other AHL games, and five seasons playing abroad in Great. Britain.
That's four decades of shifts, games, practices, and ranks. However, Laxdal was beaming in the service corridor at the Abbotsford Center after the AHL underdog Firebirds skated last Friday morning. These days, his hockey life includes many moments of each movie with every player on the list.
“That's the exciting part,” Laxdal said, “The growth you see every day coming to the rink and your work with the players, working with the veterans, working with the younger players, working with them.” second year players. For me it's all about teaching and seeing the rewards and results of the games, but above all seeing the players grow.”
Deciding on Laxdal
Player development, of course, is why Kraken GM Ron Francis and the hockey team conducted an intensive search for Dan Bylsma's replacement in the Coachella Valley. The highlight of Laxdal's career was with the Dallas Stars organization from 2014 to 2022. He first served as the head coach of the AHL Texas Stars and then served three seasons as an assistant coach for the NHL team. In 2018, Laxdal led the Austin-based Texas Stars to the Calder Cup Finals, losing in seven games to the Toronto Marlies. In the NHL's pandemic-induced bubble of 2020, Laxdal was part of Dallas' run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Other top NHL players on Laxdal's AHL teams include Dallas standouts Roope Hintz and defenseman Esa Lindell, as well as another young defenseman who is now a Kraken-stalwart, Jamie Oleksiak. On Friday, Laxdal talked about working with leading scorer Jason Robertson and No. 1 goaltender Jake Oettinger among other Stars.
“I put as much emphasis on our veterans as on the younger players,” said Laxdal. “I'm going to sit down with Ben Meyers [just called up to the Kraken]sit down with John Hayden and Max McCormick. We will look at the video. We will go in shifts. If I see that something can help a player improve and help a player reach the level he wants to play, that's a useful part for me in coaching.
“I like the level of development. Obviously, I love being in the NHL too. But this is the next best thing, working with the players who will be on the Seattle Kraken's next roster. Anytime you see a player get drafted or graduate from the National Hockey League, it's rewarding not only as a head coach but for your staff. Everyone has a role to play.”
Getting the Player's Perspective
One of the Coachella Valley's top prospects, 2022 sophomore Jagger Firkus, confirmed his head coach's diligence.
“He opened the door; you can talk to him,” said Firkus. “Giving feedback every day, which is very important for a young man. You make sure you know what to do and improve on it.'
Hayden, a veteran who has played for nine different coaches in five NHL teams and two AHL franchises, admits: “Before our last game. [a 4-2 home win over Ontario Nov. 10]he brought me out of the closet to make a video of the game beforehand, just to check some clips, nuances of the game or small details that can help the team win if we are on the same page.”
So, nine different coaches … What does Hayden say about his new leader?
“It's been great,” Hayden said. “Lax has the confidence to use some of his dynamics and is humble to understand that a team that has gone to the finals twice in a row, many things have probably worked well. He balances that, and emphasizes the power of team and family. He is great at playing for others.”
Cooperation on the Road
The dynamic combination seems to work. By watching the team at the rink and hotel on the weekend, veterans clearly make time to support and befriend younger teammates regardless of which players may be tied up for NHL games.
The team's recent six-match, 10-day odyssey proved a formidable Laxdal team. The tour started in San Jose on October 30, then moved to Bakersfield, CA, for two games, Loveland, CO (46 miles north of Denver) for two more, and finally, why not, another road contest in -Ontario, CA. The trip began with three losses in the first four games, dropping CVF's record to 3-5-0, with the last of those losses coming in a 5-0 shutout at Colorado. But the next night in Loveland, the Firebirds put three goals on the scoreboard in the second period (from Hayden, Firkus, and rookie Llyeton Roed) to build a 3-2 victory behind rookie Nikke Kokkoin's net.
Coachella Valley won in Ontario to finish the trip 2-4-0 and even the season record at 5-5-0. The Firebirds hosted division rival Ontario on Nov. 10 and won the Sunday matinee. After getting some much needed sleep and practice time at home, the Firebirds were back on the road in BC, winning twice in less than 30 hours to extend their winning streak to five games. Next up is Wednesday's home game against common foe Colorado.
'Galvanized' and Returns to the Top Region of the AHL Standings
“If you look at our 11 games [before the Abbotsford weekend sweep]we could have been eight and three,” said Laxdal, talking about the small loss. “In the first three or four games, we had a lot of bodies. Now, for the call-ups [including Hayden and Ryan Winterton at times] and the injuries, all of our guys stepped up and strengthened their team … They did a great job of buying into what we're teaching to get better game by game.”
Hayden, a big part of two Western Conference championship teams in CVF's first two AHL seasons, likes what he sees – a lot: “What's promising is a winning record despite injuries and new faces. It shows that we know it. I think this could be another Firebirds team that makes a deep run. It's a good mix of guys who have been in the organization and first and second year guys. These [young] the boys are legit players. It's fun to play with them.”
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