Hockey Operations
Bickel previously served as head coach and assistant manager for the Minnesota Magicians in the North American Hockey League. A native of Minnesota, Bickel also worked as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota from 2018-2020. As a player, Bickel was known throughout his career as a hard-nosed defenseman and winger. Bickel skated in 76 NHL games from 2011-2015 for the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild. He completed over 10 AHL seasons with several different teams scoring 12 goals, 42 assists, and racked up 919 penalty minutes in 310 games.

Firebirds Affiliates

NHL: Seattle Kraken

The Coachella Valley team is affiliated with the NHL’s newest franchise, the Seattle Kraken, for the 2021-22 season. The affiliation is expected to last one season while construction is completed on an arena that will host the Kraken’s AHL expansion franchise in Palm Desert, California.

ECHL: Kansas City Mavericks

The Mavericks have entered into a new multi-year affiliation agreement with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.  The Mavericks will serve as the ECHL affiliate for the Kraken and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, starting in the 2022-23 season.

About Us

The Coachella Valley Firebirds are the 32nd Franchise to enter the American Hockey League (AHL) with a goal of developing players and personnel for the National Hockey League (NHL).  The Firebirds strive to accomplish this by passionately building an organization from the ground up focusing on talent, entertainment,  service and community.

Acrisure Arena
Season Tickets