The old sports adage “defense wins championships” is as true in hockey as it is in any sport.
With that in mind, the Coachella Valley Firebirds announced the hiring of an assistant coach Tuesday, and it’s former NHL player Stu Bickel. Bickel, who played for the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild from 2011-2015, will join head coach Dan Bylsma’s coaching staff for the team’s inaugural season which begins Oct. 16.
Bickel was known as an enforcer during his playing days who wasn’t afraid to drop his gloves and mix it up when necessary. For example, in the 2014-15 NHL season, he played in nine games for the Minnesota Wild and spent 46 minutes in the penalty box. He’ll be a valuable member of the staff, working closely with the defenseman.
His NHL career highlight was being on the 2011-12 New York Rangers team that made the Eastern Conference finals, with Bickel playing in 18 playoff games. Since his retirement, he’s gained a lot of experience as a coach.
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Most recently, Bickel was an assistant coach for the American Hockey League’s Springfield Thunderbirds last season, before he served as the head coach and assistant manager of the Minnesota Magicians of the North American Hockey League.
The 35-year-old Minnesota native was also an assistant coach for his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, from 2018-2020.
“Stu brings a wealth of knowledge and playing experience to the Valley. He will play a key role in developing our team’s defensive game,” Bylsma said.
Bickel, who along with his NHL experience played in more than 300 AHL games, is the second assistant coach on Bylsma’s staff, joining Jessica Campbell.
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Bickel wasn’t the only addition to the Firebirds coaching staff announced Tuesday. The team also announced that Erik Elenz will join the team in the increasingly important role of video analyst.
Elenz most recently spent two seasons as director of video for the University of Vermont’s men’s hockey team, the school from which he graduated in 2022. He was named to the Team Germany coaching staff for the 2022 IIHF World Championships.
Several more hires were announced Tuesday as the team filled out its hockey operations support staff:
Brian Garcia: Head equipment manager
Brett Bernstein: Head athletic trainer
Colin Julianello: Goaltending coach
Mike Donoghue: Strength and conditioning coach
Shawn Thorns: Assistant equipment manager
Justin Broy: Assistant athletic trainer
The Firebirds’ season begins Oct. 16 with a road game in Calgary. The team will play 22 games away from the desert before making its home debut Dec. 18 at Acrisure Arena. The 10,000-seat arena being built in Thousand Palms.
