Coachella Valley Firebirds Check-In: Kokko, Jugnauth, Playoffs, and More

It’s been a while since the last Coachella Valley Firebirds check-in, and a lot has happened since then. The Seattle Kraken’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team has been thriving, while the Kraken have been struggling. 

The Firebirds’ current record for the season sits at 33-29-5, and with the end of the regular season closing in, Coachella Valley has punched its ticket to the Calder Cup Playoffs. Let’s check in to see how the Firebirds have been performing lately. 

Firebirds’ Goaltending Remains Strong 

The Firebirds have been successful throughout the entire 2025-26 season, but a significant part of their success is attributed to their goaltending. On Friday, April 3, Nikke Kokko helped the Firebirds secure their fourth shutout of the season. This marked Kokko’s second shutout of the season. 

Related: Coachella Valley Firebirds Check-In: Nyman, Firkus, Ostman, & LaFontaine

Victor Ostman was in the net for the Firebirds the next night, and although he didn’t record a shutout, he earned his 17th win. Ostman also has two shutouts for the season. 

The pair of goaltenders has been great for the Firebirds. Coachella Valley had Ales Stezka last season, but he left the team after 2024-25 to play back in his home country of Czechia. This is Ostman’s first full season in the AHL, and he has shown great growth. 

This season is only Kokko’s second in the AHL, but he, too, has shown great goaltending skills. The pair of goaltenders should excite Kraken fans for what is to come in the future. 

Tyson Jugnauth Was the Star in Firebirds’ Last Game 

In their last game, the Firebirds beat the Abbotsford Canucks 3-2 in overtime. A large part of this was thanks to Tyson Jugnauth, who scored the game-winner and recorded an assist on the two other goals. 

This season is Jugnauth’s first in the AHL. He was drafted by the Kraken in the 2022 NHL Draft, but spent the two seasons following in the NCAA playing for the University of Wisconsin. After that, he spent the next two seasons with the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League (WHL). 

In his first AHL season, he has 43 points in 66 games. Jugnauth has developed greatly with the Firebirds. While he still needs some time to get ready for the NHL, he will be a great offensive threat for the Kraken when they are ready for him. 

Nyman Is Excelling Too

The Kraken sent forward Jani Nyman back down to the Firebirds after he spent a large portion of the season with the NHL club. He played 26 games with Seattle this season and recorded six points. They sent him down to Coachella Valley at the end of December and then recently called him back up towards the end of March. They must not have felt he made the impact they were looking for, as they sent him back down just two games later. 

Nyman has been having wonderful success in the AHL, currently recording 33 points in 35 games. He also has an assist in his last two games. Even though he is not playing in the NHL, Nyman is getting valuable experience and finding his offensive edge. He might not be happy about playing in the AHL for the back half of the season, but this extra experience could give Nyman the edge to make it full-time in the NHL next season. 

Firebirds Make It to Playoffs for the Fourth Straight Season 

Thanks to the Tucson Roadrunners’ loss to the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday, the Firebirds clinched their playoff spot. They are the third team in the Pacific Division to make the postseason. 

The Firebirds have only been in the AHL since the 2022-23 season, but they have made the playoffs in all four of their seasons in the league. They have also made it all the way to the Calder Cup Final in their first two seasons, but fell to the Hershey Bears both times. 

The Firebirds have been exceptional since they began in the AHL, and they have another chance to go for the Calder Cup again in their fourth season. They should be proud of their performance thus far, and maybe the Kraken could take some notes from them. 

Firebirds Return to Action on Wednesday 

The Firebirds will be back in action on Wednesday, April 8, when they host the Henderson Silver Knights.