2023–24 Coachella Valley Firebirds season

Hockey team season

2023–24 Coachella Valley Firebirds
Western Conference champions
Pacific Division champions
League	2nd AHL
Division	1st Pacific
Conference	1st Western
2023–24 record	46–15–6–5 (103 pts)
Home record	20–10–3
Road record	26–5–3
Goals for	257
Goals against	194
Team information
General manager	Troy Bodie (de facto - VP of Hockey Operations)
Coach	Dan Bylsma
Captain	Max McCormick
Alternate captains	Gustav Olofsson Andrew Poturalski
Arena	Acrisure Arena
Average attendance	8,844
Team leaders
Goals	Max McCormick (32)
Assists	Kole Lind (48)
Points	Kole Lind (65)
Penalty minutes	Ian McKinnon (102)
Wins	Chris Driedger (24)
Goals against average	Chris Driedger (2.26)
← 2022–23 2024–25 →

The 2023–24 Coachella Valley Firebirds season was the franchise's second season in the American Hockey League (AHL), starting on October 13, 2023, and ending on June 24, 2024, after losing to the Hershey Bears in game six of the Calder Cup Finals. They play their home games at Acrisure Arena.

On March 23, 2024, the Firebirds clinched a playoff berth for the second consecutive season following a 4–3 shootout loss against the San Diego Gulls. They clinched the Pacific Division following a 3–1 win over the Ontario Reign on April 10.

Standings

y– indicates team has clinched division and a playoff spot
x– indicates team has clinched a playoff spot
e– indicates team has been eliminated from playoff contention

Division

Pacific Division	GP	W	L	OTL	SOL	Pts	Pts%	GF	GA
y–Coachella Valley Firebirds (SEA)	72	46	15	6	5	103	.715	252	182
x–Tucson Roadrunners (ARI)	72	43	23	4	2	92	.639	222	214
x–Ontario Reign (LAK)	72	42	23	3	4	91	.632	231	198
x–Colorado Eagles (COL)	72	40	25	5	2	87	.604	215	195
x–Abbotsford Canucks (VAN)	72	40	25	5	2	87	.604	234	210
x–Bakersfield Condors (EDM)	72	39	27	4	2	84	.583	223	202
x–Calgary Wranglers (CGY)	72	35	28	6	3	79	.549	203	212
e–Henderson Silver Knights (VGK)	72	28	36	3	5	64	.444	190	243
e–San Diego Gulls (ANA)	72	26	35	10	1	63	.438	216	245
e–San Jose Barracuda (SJS)	72	24	34	10	4	62	.431	220	260

Conference

Central Division	GP	W	L	OTL	SOL	Pts	Pts%	GF	GA
y–Coachella Valley Firebirds (SEA)	72	46	15	6	5	103	.715	252	182
y–Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)	72	47	22	2	1	97	.674	238	193
x–Tucson Roadrunners (ARI)	72	43	23	4	2	92	.639	222	214
x–Ontario Reign (LAK)	72	42	23	3	4	91	.632	231	198
x–Colorado Eagles (COL)	72	40	25	5	2	87	.604	215	195
x–Abbotsford Canucks (VAN)	72	40	25	5	2	87	.604	234	210
x–Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)	72	37	23	8	4	86	.597	208	202
x–Rockford IceHogs (CHI)	72	39	26	5	2	85	.590	215	208
x–Bakersfield Condors (EDM)	72	39	27	4	2	84	.583	223	202
x–Calgary Wranglers (CGY)	72	35	28	6	3	79	.549	203	212
x–Texas Stars (DAL)	72	33	33	4	2	72	.500	234	240
x–Manitoba Moose (WPG)	72	34	35	2	1	71	.493	225	243
e–Henderson Silver Knights (VGK)	72	28	36	3	5	64	.444	190	243
e–San Diego Gulls (ANA)	72	26	35	10	1	63	.438	216	245
e–Iowa Wild (MIN)	72	27	37	4	4	62	.431	184	245
e–San Jose Barracuda (SJS)	72	24	34	10	4	62	.431	220	260
e–Chicago Wolves (Ind.)	72	23	35	7	7	60	.417	192	253

Schedule and results

Preseason

The preseason schedule was released on September 14, 2023.

2023–24 Game Log – Preseason

0–1–0–0 (Home: 0–1–0–0; Road: 0–0–0–0)
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts	Report
–	October 6	Ontario	–	Coachella Valley	Canceled due to a power outage at Acrisure Arena
1	October 8	Henderson	3–1	Coachella Valley		Stezka	6,239	0–1–0–0	0	Report

Playoffs

Main article: 2024 Calder Cup playoffs

2024 Game Log – Playoffs

Pacific Division Semifinals vs. (P7) Calgary Wranglers – Firebirds win series 3–1
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Series	Report
1	May 3	Coachella Valley	1–4	Calgary		Driedger	6,067	0–1	Report
2	May 5	Coachella Valley	4-3	Calgary	OT	Driedger	6,097	1–1	Report
3	May 8	Calgary	5-7	Coachella Valley		Driedger	7,581	2–1	Report
4	May 10	Calgary	0–3	Coachella Valley		Driedger	7,936	3–1	Report

Pacific Division Finals vs. (P3) Ontario Reign – Firebirds won 3–0
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Series	Report
1	May 15	Ontario	2–3	Coachella Valley		Driedger	7,633	1–0	Report
2	May 17	Ontario	3-5	Coachella Valley		Driedger	8,682	2–0	Report
3	May 19	Coachella Valley	3–2	Ontario		Driedger	8,355	3–0	Report

Western Conference Finals vs. (C1) Milwaukee Admirals – Firebirds won 4–1
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Series	Report
1	May 30	Milwaukee	1–2	Coachella Valley		Driedger	7,413	1-0	Report
2	June 1	Milwaukee	1–3	Coachella Valley		Driedger	10,087	2–0	Report
3	June 4	Coachella Valley	5–2	Milwaukee		Driedger	4,729	3–0	Report
4	June 6	Coachella Valley	2–7	Milwaukee		Driedger	4,324	3-1	Report
5	June 8	Coachella Valley	5–2	Milwaukee		Driedger	6,059	4–1	Report

Calder Cup Finals vs. (A1) Hershey Bears – Bears won 2–4
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Series	Report
1	June 14	Coachella Valley	4–3	Hershey		Driedger	10,154	1–0	Report
2	June 16	Coachella Valley	2–5	Hershey		Driedger	10,507	1–1	Report
3	June 18	Hershey	2–6	Coachella Valley		Driedger	9,034	2–1	Report
4	June 20	Hershey	3–2	Coachella Valley		Driedger	10,087	2–2	Report
5	June 22	Hershey	3–2	Coachella Valley		Driedger	10,087	2–3	Report
6	June 24	Coachella Valley	4–5	Hershey	OT	Driedger	11,013	2–4	Report

Legend: Win Loss

Transactions

The Firebirds have been involved in the following transactions during the 2023–24 season.

Free agents acquired

Date	Player	Former team	Term
August 2, 2023 (2023-08-02)	Jacob Hayhurst	Springfield Thunderbirds	1-year
August 16, 2023 (2023-08-16)	Kyle Jackson	North Bay Battalion (OHL)
August 23, 2023 (2023-08-23)	Jack LaFontaine	Syracuse Crunch
September 6, 2023 (2023-09-06)	Ryan Jones	Syracuse Crunch
September 13, 2023 (2023-09-13)	Justin Nachbaur	Ontario Reign
September 20, 2023 (2023-09-20)	Patrick Curry	Iowa Wild

Free agents lost

Date	Player	New team
July 1, 2023 (2023-07-01)	Jimmy Schuldt	Seattle Kraken (NHL)
July 1, 2023 (2023-07-01)	Shane Starrett	Providence Bruins
August 15, 2023 (2023-08-15)	Tristan Mullin	Hartford Wolf Pack

Other signings

Date	Player	Term
July 19, 2023 (2023-07-19)	Ian McKinnon	1-year
July 27, 2023 (2023-07-27)	Jeremy McKenna
August 18, 2023 (2023-08-18)	Jake McLaughlin
December 11, 2023 (2023-12-11)	Cale Morris	PTO (25 games)

References

Rotolo, Gina (March 23, 2024). "Firebirds Clinch Spot in 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs". Coachella Valley Firebirds. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
Powers, Shad (April 10, 2024). "Clinched! Coachella Valley Firebirds claim Pacific Division title with win over Ontario". The Desert Sun. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
"2023 AHL preseason begins Oct. 3". American Hockey League. September 14, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
"Power outage short circuits Firebirds' preseason game at Acrisure Arena". Desert Sun. October 6, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
"Firebirds Ink Jacob Hayhurst to AHL Contract". Coachella Valley Firebirds. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Firebirds Add Forward Kyle Jackson". Coachella Valley Firebirds. August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Firebirds Sign Goalie Jack LaFontaine". Coachella Valley Firebirds. August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Firebirds Sign Defenseman Ryan Jones". Coachella Valley Firebirds. September 26, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Firebirds Add Forward Justin Nachbaur". Coachella Valley Firebirds. September 13, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Firebirds Add Forward Patrick Curry". Coachella Valley Firebirds. September 20, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Seattle Kraken Sign Jimmy Schuldt to One-Year Contract". Seattle Kraken. July 1, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Providence Bruins Sign Ethan Ritchie and Shane Starrett to One-Year AHL Contracts". Providence Bruins. July 1, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Wolf Pack Agree to Terms With Forward Tristan Mullin on One-Year Contract". Hartford Wolf Pack. August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Firebirds Re-Sign Forward McKinnon". Coachella Valley Firebirds. July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Coachella Valley Re-Signs Jeremy McKenna". Coachella Valley Firebirds. July 27, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"Firebirds Re-Sign Defenseman Jake McLaughlin". Coachella Valley Firebirds. August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
"News: The #CVFirebirds have signed goaltender Cale Morris to a professional tryout (PTO)". Tweet by Coachella Valley Firebirds on Twitter. December 11, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.

External links

Coachella Valley Firebirds official site

Sports teams in the Inland Empire region

Baseball

CL: Inland Empire 66ers; Lake Elsinore Storm; Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
SCBBA: Palm Springs Power

Basketball

NBA G League: San Diego Clippers

American football

WFA: Inland Empire Ravens

Ice hockey

AHL: Coachella Valley Firebirds; Ontario Reign
WSHL: Ontario Avalanche

Soccer

USL2: Coachella FC
NPSL: High Desert Elite FC; Temecula FC
UPSL: AC Miracle Hill
MASL: Ontario Fury

College athletics

NCAA Division I	California Baptist Lancers UC Riverside Highlanders
NCAA Division II	Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes

Sports teams based in Greater Los Angeles

Baseball

MLB: Los Angeles Angels; Los Angeles Dodgers
CL: Inland Empire 66ers; Lake Elsinore Storm; Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Basketball

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers; Los Angeles Lakers
WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks
G League: South Bay Lakers
ABA: Los Angeles Slam; Orange County Novastars

American football

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers; Los Angeles Rams
WFA: Pacific Warriors; West Coast Lightning
X League: Los Angeles Black Storm

Ice hockey

NHL: Anaheim Ducks; Los Angeles Kings
AHL: Coachella Valley Firebirds; Ontario Reign

Soccer

MLS: LA Galaxy; Los Angeles FC
NWSL: Angel City FC
USLC: Orange County SC
MLSNP: LAFC2; Ventura County FC
USL1: AV Alta FC (2025)
NISA: Capo FC; Irvine Zeta FC; Los Angeles Force
USL2: AMSG FC; Capo FC; Coachella FC; Redlands FC; Southern California Seahorses; Ventura County Fusion
USLW: Santa Clarita Blue Heat
NPSL: A.S. Los Angeles; High Desert Elite FC; Temecula FC
UPSL: Santa Ana Winds FC; L.A. Wolves FC; LA 10 FC; FC Santa Clarita; La Máquina FC; Del Rey City SC; Cal FC; San Nicolas FC; Club Xolos USA U-23; Orange County FC; Orange County FC 2; Oxnard Guerreros FC
MASL: Empire Strykers

Australian rules football

USAFL: Los Angeles Dragons; Orange County Giants

Roller derby

WFTDA: Angel City Derby Girls; Ventura County Derby Darlins; West Coast Derby Knockouts
RDCL: Los Angeles Derby Dolls

Rugby union

MLR: Rugby Football Club Los Angeles
SCRFU: Back Bay RFC; Belmont Shore RFC; Los Angeles RFC; Santa Monica Rugby Club

Team tennis

WTT: Orange County Breakers

Ultimate

AUDL: Los Angeles Aviators
WUL

Esports

Los Angeles Guerrillas

Los Angeles Thieves

Los Angeles Gladiators

Los Angeles Valiant

College athletics

NCAA Division I	Cal State Fullerton Cal State Northridge California Baptist Long Beach State Loyola Marymount Pepperdine UC Irvine UC Riverside UCLA USC
NCAA Division II	Azusa Pacific Biola Cal Poly Pomona Cal State Dominguez Hills Cal State Los Angeles Cal State San Bernardino Concordia
NCAA Division III	Caltech Cal Lutheran Chapman Claremont-Mudd-Scripps La Verne Occidental Pomona-Pitzer Redlands Whittier
NAIA	Antelope Valley Hope International La Sierra Life Pacific The Master's Providence Christian Soka Vanguard Westcliff

Venues

Current

Former

Rivalries

v t e Sports teams based in California
Australian rules football	USAFL Golden Gate Roos Los Angeles Dragons Orange County Giants Sacramento Suns San Diego Lions
Baseball	MLB Athletics Los Angeles Angels Los Angeles Dodgers San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants PCL Sacramento River Cats CL Fresno Grizzlies Inland Empire 66ers Lake Elsinore Storm Modesto Nuts Rancho Cucamonga Quakes San Jose Giants Stockton Ports Visalia Rawhide PIO Oakland Ballers Yolo High Wheelers PEC Bakersfield Train Robbers Dublin Leprechauns Martinez Sturgeon Marysville Drakes Monterey Amberjacks San Rafael Pacifics Vallejo Seaweed
Basketball	NBA Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Sacramento Kings WNBA Golden State Valkyries Los Angeles Sparks G League San Diego Clippers Santa Cruz Warriors South Bay Lakers Stockton Kings ABA Team Trouble
Esports	CDL Los Angeles Guerrillas Los Angeles Thieves OWL Los Angeles Gladiators San Francisco Shock
American football	NFL Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams San Francisco 49ers IFL Bay Area Panthers San Diego Strike Force WFA Central Cal War Angels Inland Empire Ravens Kern County Crusaders Los Angeles Warriors Ventura County Wolfpack IWFL Carson Bobcats North County Stars Sacramento Sirens X League Los Angeles Black Storm
Ice hockey	NHL Anaheim Ducks Los Angeles Kings San Jose Sharks AHL Bakersfield Condors Coachella Valley Firebirds Ontario Reign San Diego Gulls San Jose Barracuda USPHL Anaheim Avalanche Fresno Monsters San Diego Sabers WSHL Valencia Flyers
Roller derby	WFTDA Angel City Derby Girls Bay Area Derby Central Coast Roller Derby Derby Revolution of Bakersfield Humboldt Roller Derby Sacramento Roller Derby Santa Cruz Derby Girls Silicon Valley Roller Girls Sonoma County Roller Derby RDCL Los Angeles Derby Dolls Orange County Roller Girls San Diego Derby Dolls
Rugby league	CRL Los Angeles Mongrels Oakland Originals Sacramento Immortals San Francisco Savage
Rugby union	MLR LA Giltinis San Diego Legion PRP Golden Gate RFC Old Mission Beach Athletic Club Santa Monica Rugby Club Belmont Shore RFC Olympic Club SCRFU Finlander Rugby Club SDSU Aztecs
Soccer	MLS LA Galaxy Los Angeles FC San Diego FC San Jose Earthquakes NWSL Angel City FC Bay FC San Diego Wave FC USLC Monterey Bay FC Oakland Roots SC Orange County SC Sacramento Republic FC Santa Barbara Sky FC (2026) MLSNP LAFC2 The Town FC Ventura County FC USL1 AV Alta FC (2025) NISA Albion San Diego Capo FC Irvine Zeta FC Los Angeles Force USL2 Academica SC Almaden FC AMSG FC Capo FC Coachella FC Davis Legacy SC Marin FC Legends Monterey Bay F.C. 2 Project 51O Redlands FC San Francisco City FC San Francisco Glens SC Southern California Seahorses Ventura County Fusion USLW Academica SC California Storm Marin FC Siren Oakland Soul SC Olympic Club SC Pleasanton Rage San Francisco Glens Santa Clarita Blue Heat Stockton Cargo SC NISA Nation Chula Vista FC FC Golden State Force NPSL A.S. Los Angeles Contra Costa FC FC Davis El Farolito SC High Desert Elite FC Napa Valley 1839 FC Sacramento Gold FC Sonoma County Sol Temecula FC UPSL Santa Ana Winds FC L.A. Wolves FC La Máquina FC FC Santa Clarita Del Rey City SC Real San Jose Oakland Stompers Oakland Pamperos Aguiluchos U-23 Orange County FC 2 San Diego Internacional FC MASL Empire Strykers San Diego Sockers M2 Empire Jets San Diego Sockers 2 Turlock Cal Express
Ultimate	UFA Los Angeles Aviators Oakland Spiders San Diego Growlers WUL Los Angeles Astra San Diego Super Bloom San Francisco Falcons
Lacrosse	NLL San Diego Seals PLL California Redwoods
Volleyball	PVF San Diego Mojo NVA Los Angeles Blaze Ontario Matadors Orange County Stunners San Diego Wild
Sports in Los Angeles Sports in Sacramento Sports in San Diego Sports in the San Francisco Bay Area College Sports in California

Category:

Coachella Valley Firebirds