Fire & Ice Podcast
A Coachella Valley Firebirds podcast.
Fire & Ice Podcast
The Desert Sun's Fire & Ice Podcast -- A Season's Appreciation and Player Exit Interviews (May 22, 2026)
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That's a wrap, Firebirds' flock. Still chasing that forbidden fruit, CV falls to Colorado in the Pac. Division Finals, and a proverbial bow is tied upon season No. 4 of 'Birds' hockey. Join in for thoughts on the season that was, with a lineup of player exit interviews, including: Mitchell Stephens, Ville Ottavainen, Gustav Olofsson, Jake O'Brien, Jagger Firkus, Tyson Jugnauth, Lleyton Roed, Jacob Melanson, Nikke Kokko and Ian McKinnon.
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Greetings, friends and firebirds fans, and welcome to the Desert Suns Fire and Ice Podcast, presented by Desert Willow Golf Resort. Coming to you from Palm Desert, California, a mere final chapter away from the Bird Tell Mice of Accriture Arena, I'm your host, Judd Spicer, fourth season of Coachella Valley Firebirds Hockey. Fourth season, now in the books, of the Fire and Ice Podcast. Fourth season of another spirited playoff run for our Firebirds. Only to conclude, I don't want to say unceremoniously, because hey, Colorado Eagles, very, very solid hockey team. We knew this was going to be a tough series. We talked about it often, amply, if not ad nauseum, in the uh most recent mid-series media roundtable episode, that it was going to be a tough task to win back-to-back yet again for the third time in as many playoff series and do it. And a tough place to play in blue arena against, again, a very tough Colorado Eagles team. The boys gave it uh a good show. Yep, a little bit of a bummer to relinquish that 2-0 lead. Three very, very fast goals. That was kind of the theme of this entire series against Colorado. Things happened in a rush, in a flash. The next thing we know, down 2-3, no scoring the third period. Season comes to an end. And hey, friends, look, there's 31 teams that are going to be unhappy at the close of uh an AHL hockey season. And uh again, although we had a very, very solid campaign, ultimately still chasing that ultimate prize, still chasing that Calder Cup trophy. But I think I would not be alone in and of and with the opinion that in many ways this Firebirds team, this version, version four of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, did certainly surpass some expectations. Starting the season with the youngest team in the entire American Hockey League, not a particularly great start to the campaign. I know we were certainly concerned, among some other worries, about where our scoring was going to come from, but how damn did this team get good over the course of the uh six plus months of their AHL campaign? Man, man, boys were seemingly peaking at just the right time. Spend it off uh Bakersfield, of course, in the first round in that mere slight three-game series. Maybe they got to do away with that in the AHL, by the way. Three games after a 72-game season. Anyway, birds won that series, came back, also, of course, defeating top-seeded Ontario with the double overtime thriller at Toyota Arena game five. Gave the Colorado Eagles a very, very good show. As a friend of mine uh once said, all things end badly, otherwise they wouldn't end. But I don't think a lot of heads are hung. I don't think uh there's too too many tears across our desert proper at the close of this fourth season. I think inversely that there's a lot of pride and a lot of continued pride. The Coachella Valley Firebirds. Look, I started doing this, I started covering this team. Yes, because I love hockey, because I grew up with hockey, I'm from the state of hockey, but namely because I was of the belief, along with being very, very curious, if not at times intrepid, but certainly curious how and when and where and if the introduction of this team to our desert, and I've told you this many times, gentle listeners, how the introduction of this team to the desert would change or perhaps even improve our community, where we live. And the team continues to do that. Yes, in many ways, we are still touched and tethered by the electric, organic, unbelievable introduction of this team, and that's held every team subsequently to a very, very high standard. But at the same time, I believe that that torch continues to burn, and I believe it continues to burn bright. I believe it continues to burn with purpose. I believe Aquisher Arena and the adjacent Burger Iceplex, it has both of these buildings, or I guess one building, but uh connected. It uh it continues to make our valley a better place to live. It has bonded our community, it has galvanized our community in many ways. And yeah, sports have a way of doing that. The Firebirds, by way of their success in the franchise's mere four years, has had a way, a very powerful way of doing that. And additionally, if not more so, and moreover, the Burger Iceplex may have in some respects even usurped the influence and the impact of what the Firebirds have so impressively done, sir, since their introduction over four years ago. I can now say, man, sometimes that time does fly. What we've got for you on this episode, friends, per usual is the exit interviews. We've got 10 of them. They fly by pretty quickly. We've got uh 10 different guys at the media exit interview day. Here's the list. Here's the rundown of the roster we've got for you. Mitchell Stevens, Billy Ottawaina, Gustav Olifson, Jake O'Brien, Jagger Furkas, Tyson Jugnoff, Leighton Road, Jacob Malanson, Nikkei Coco, and last but certainly not least, and certainly with still the most penalty minutes, Ian McKinnon is going to close us out. I'll run down that list again and take a reset after we get through half of these gentlemen and let it be known that I'm not the only one, of course, asking these questions. Certainly want to give credit uh in this media scrum style to Andrew John of The Desert Sun, our friend Blake Arthur, locally of KESQ, Brett Rosen, doing a great job for NBC Palm Springs, and our guy Sean Lyming, also in there peppering away with some great questions with Sean. You'll hear those voices along with yours truly, along with the players. Before we get to these exit interviews, run them down, and hey, they just go for like three minutes a piece. Gotta recognize those, a final time for this season, who make this show go. That of course starts with my partner in crime, the Desert Sun newspaper. That worked out great this year. When you go to the DesertSun.com, you saw every show was posted. Great rundown written up by our friend Shad Powers for all your news, sports, local events, festivals, firebirds, and soon the Coachello Valley Lakers. You're gonna want to check it all out at Desertsun.com. Or heck, just go get yourself a physical, tangible newspaper. Presenting sponsor of the Fire and Ice podcast, Desert Willow Golf Resort. Go tee it up there, friends, all summer long. Yeah, it gets a little sizzly, but that means there's a little more elbow room on the course. That means there's a little more value to be had when playing golf in the Coachello Valley over these summer months. Home to the Mountain View and Firecliffe courses, respectively. Get those tea times online at desertwillow.com. When you're on that website poking around, be sure to check out the excellent on-site Palm Desert Golf Academy for all your swing lesson tutelage and knowledge needs. So great to welcome the Ground Squirrel and the 29 Palms Beer Company to the Fire and Ice podcast. Those, of course, up in yonder 29 Palms, downtown 29 Palms, your high desert hockey homes, the Ground Squirrel G R N D SQRL. You know they've got that awesome Gaster Pub style scratch made menu. They've got a great rotating list of craft beers. And then right down the street, the 29 Palms Beer Company, they brew up their own phenomenal beers right on site. So look, a lot of locals in the desert, they like to cool off a little bit, maybe go have a little stay cash type adventure. When you're up there checking out Joshua Tree or Pioneer Town, stop into the 29th Palms Beer Company or the Ground Squirrel. And hey, if you're a desert guest, I know what they would be enthused to see if tell them Uncle Juddy sent you. Thanks again to all these sponsors who make this show go over the course of the fourth season of the Fire and Ice podcast. All right, friends, let's start to get into these interviews. Gonna run it first. Leading us off is Mitchell Stevens, Billy Audibiden, Gustav Olsen, Jake O'Brien, and Jagger Furkas. After that, we'll take a brief reset. Man. Uh that's kind of a weird day, a little bit, the exit interviews. I mean, today there's only one team at the end of the year that's that's truly happy, man. But for you, or as you see it for the rest of the Firebirds, Mitchell, a proud day or a somber day?
SPEAKER_04Yeah, like you said, like you're only happy if you win it all, right? Um, but you know, the maturity of our group grew this year, uh, with being the youngest team in the league. And you know, that's a big positive. Uh, you see the development of guys, you know, from the start of the year until you know the end of the playoffs. It's it's crazy. So um really proud of the group and you know how we battled through through three rounds. And um, you know, it's uh it's a good testament to to the character in that room and you know the the up-and-coming players in this organization.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, also I don't want to phrase it as weird, but you know, we got guys' contract situations. I don't know, our team is gonna look different every year for yourself. Yeah, the season just ended, but what would you like to see happen? What are your aspirations and hopes moving forward?
SPEAKER_04Yeah, I mean I'd love to be back here uh in this organization, so um, but you know, we'll see what happens uh in the summer. It's it's not up to me at this point. So um yeah.
SPEAKER_03Being a bit on this team, what was it like seeing this group team grow? Not just throughout the regular team, but just in the playoffs that you guys had the young guys get done as hardly as they were.
SPEAKER_04Yeah, I mean like if you look at Oscar, uh you know, he's gonna be uh stable on the other traffic team for a lot of years. Um you see the development that he's you know grown grown in the in this year, and um all the guys do right it's um every year is a roller coaster at one point and guys uh you know we're trending out in the right direction and you know proud of the the group and how we uh how we can together and uh surprise a lot of people or surprise ourselves too how good of a team we could have been.
SPEAKER_11Um you got to go magic and play some what else you gotta play in this summer?
SPEAKER_04I just had a little one, so my wife and I were watching grow up and enjoy the summer and get back in the gym and start the game. Congratulations.
SPEAKER_07Any uh you know this year, specifically for you, um, on the ice. Is there anything special that popped out highlight of the year for you?
SPEAKER_04Uh other than my son's first game. That was that was the highlight. Yeah, he came to warm up his first game and got the pot and pitcher and all that. So that was that was really cool just being a first-time dad and all that. But you know, as far as on the ice play, and um you know, I think just uh the overall just having that compete with the guys. You know, when you're when the season's over, you you don't miss the goals or the points, you miss you know, every day grinding with them up in the practice or you know, the off-ice travel, the dinners on the road, that's what you're gonna miss. And um you know, you take those, you take that and you know, bring it in the summer if you leave for next year.
SPEAKER_10So I think you know, a lot of us would love to see you back next year, but regardless of what happens, what can you say about the young this young group that is coming back to the Firebirds? Uh just collectively, what what can Firebirds fans expect from kind of this young group?
SPEAKER_04Yeah, they're uh they're a good group. You know, they love each other, they they compete hard. Um, these they're very skilled, these young guys coming up now. So it's um they're good players, and you know, a lot of them are gonna play for Seattle or in the NHL soon. So um, it should be exciting times. Guys are getting a little bit older. When you're older makes a difference in this league, you see you know the teams that are winning, they're a lot older, right? Um, so when you're older, guys are gonna get more mature, you know how to handle these situations because you know we made to the third round. That's good, you know, that's good experience for these guys, right? And um, you know, take all that, and I think the fans should be excited.
SPEAKER_00All right, man. Um if you remember one thing from this season, uh, what would that be, man?
SPEAKER_15One thing, uh starting with a tough one. I mean, I think there's coming out hot. Yeah, like there's there's a lot of things. I think you know, we grew a lot from the start of the year um as a team, and you know, I think that's probably the one thing that sticks out the most.
SPEAKER_00What about for you personally? If there's a takeaway when you look back on this season, what might that be?
SPEAKER_15Um, you know, obviously my goal is every year to be a better player than I was the year before, and you know, I think I accomplished that, you know. Obviously, the goal is to make the NHL, and you know, didn't or did get a call up early in there, but didn't get a game. Um, so that was you know frustrating at times personally, but um yeah, just gonna keep keep working, and you know, like I said, I think I was a better player than the year before.
SPEAKER_03So this young group right here, um, how was it watching them grow um especially in the playoffs and board and hopefully trying to use some of that momentum as they for the summer and as they get into next team?
SPEAKER_15Yeah, you know, obviously that is a tribute tribute to the culture that was built here, like um, you know, at the start of the year, like a lot of new young guys, and like I said, I think we grew a lot throughout the year, and like in the playoffs, backs against the wall, and we're like 4-0 the first two rounds. Um, so I think that's that says something about the group and like the culture, and you know, even if I feel like the people doubted us, and we kind of wrong. Um so that was you know cool to be a part of.
SPEAKER_03Anything you miss about this group as you ended the summer and um think a little bit about uh break and price season?
SPEAKER_15Yeah, no, obviously, you know, it was a special, special group, and like I said, when our backs were against the wall, like you know we're gonna cherish those times and how we got how we got through that. Um like those were definitely the most fun and nerve-wracking games at the same time. Um and yeah, that's what I'm gonna remember and be excited for next year.
SPEAKER_07Anything you're gonna work on specifically over the summer, any new skills or something you want to focus on personally?
SPEAKER_15Yeah, well, I think for me it's always like being a bigger guy, like you know, agility and moving your feet quicker. Um then you know, breakout, breakout plays, like I know that's always an area to work on, like feet, breakouts, um passing, and then you know, soft the ice. I think I came in great shape last year and try to even take a notch further from that. So yeah. So probably stick around for a bit um and you know, just kind of chill, chill after the season.
SPEAKER_00And start with this one. Goose, obviously, the benefit of being here across four years. We've talked about this a number of different ways and a number different angles to ask the same question, but now that the season has concluded, where does this team? What what chapter is this in the annals of Firebird's history?
SPEAKER_14I think uh it's kind of kind of a great start and good framework for for what's coming next. And a lot of these guys were were on their first year years of their deals, and um, you know, they'll continue to grow, and I think it was just great progress. And um felt like we took a took a great step in their individual careers and also as a team for what we're what we're gonna have in place here next year, too.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, for bitter or better, whether it be we the media, whether it be some of the fan base, we are still tethered to the origins of what happened at the outset of this franchise. There's a couple different ways to look at that, but there's something about that, at least in my mind, that that continues to be burned, that to burn red brightly, continues to be honored, you know. Uh, do you think that this that this season continue to honor what this franchise has meant from the start?
SPEAKER_14I think for sure. Um, you know, just the playoff ones at home uh you know means so much to us and the fans, and and you can definitely tell that time of year, even shaking guys' hands here on home ice like Bakersfield and um same with Ontario, like every time uh you you close out a playoff series just means a lot to the to the group organization and and as players too. Um and it also stings to be on the other side of it, like you'd said, and and that kind of creates some motivation for for what's to come. And um, but yeah, like I I do feel very proud to wear this jersey and what we've we've accomplished. And it feels great to you know just take away some of the wins from at home and and especially in the playoffs.
SPEAKER_03Without uh not moving too early into next season, but how like how this group was able to perform this year, um being the youngest team in the HL, how excited should the fans be, you, the other players, be the kids at the organization be for next year, um, with this group having a season out of the belt, a play around out of the belt.
SPEAKER_14Yeah, I think uh there's a lot of excitement. Um there's a lot of turnover too in this league, and uh during the year, a lot of call-ups too. So typically, you know, the challenge is is coming up to the standard that you have as an organization and you know what's what your expectations are. And here it's excellence and winning and you know, being in the contention here this time of year and in playoffs. I think um, you know, as long as as long as the leadership group and you know us the coaching staff too do a good job of getting everybody on board with that, I you know we should should expect to see the same same type of results and and you know still be playing with this time of year.
SPEAKER_11What do you got planned this summer? I know you'll spend time with the family and get away, but uh any fun plans or anything?
SPEAKER_14Yeah, um we'll try to get out of the heat a little bit. We'll go to Wisconsin, uh see some family and um get uh get the older older son into some baseball and and some summer school and you know make sure they're active. And um we'll see if we make a trip out of there, but um yeah, just excited to be a dad and and spend you know more time with them, waking up with them, going to bed with them, and um, you know, having less of a less of a strict schedule. So I'm really looking forward to that.
SPEAKER_10Chris, what do you think about for your next season if you started to think about that? Is that something that will figure itself out this summer?
SPEAKER_14Um, you know, right now, um, I think there's a lot of emotions, a lot of different places your mind's at. And um, you know, I'll I'll try to regroup a bit here and um you know, once once I get to Wisconsin in a few weeks to start training again, uh I feel like the obsession in me will kind of start to to creep in and you know I'll kick into gear and and be ready kind of mentally to to get ready for training camp in next season, and then you know everything kind of follows. But you know, for right now, I'll just uh just close out these meetings and uh you know also also take in a bit what we've accomplished and you know, you know, really, really embrace it and be sure to be part of it.
SPEAKER_03I've seen a couple different coaches um talk a little bit about Laxall and what he's been able to do with this group.
SPEAKER_14Yeah, I think uh great pulse on the on the locker room and you know what what the team needs even you know throughout these playoffs, like from game to game, whether it's a slow game or an effort that we we weren't at the level we were at, he knows how to how to get the guys going, get the best out of the guys. You know, we had a great uh relationship as leaders with him, and um you know, just overall throughout the year, I think we we had a lot of challenges being young, and you know, credit to the coach and staff all the box uh stuff. I I think um nothing but great things to say, and uh he's been been a huge piece of of this this puzzle and what we have.
SPEAKER_08All right, man.
SPEAKER_00How you doing? Good, you good, thank you. Uh a brief experience, a playoff experience, broadly speaking, what are you taking away from this into your summer season?
SPEAKER_16Yeah, well I think it's a good experience coming here. Obviously, um I got my feet wet. Um it's obviously a lot faster. Um so I know what I need to work on this summer, getting faster, any stronger, and uh yeah, so um it was a good experience.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Uh aside from the play, did you have any opportunity to take in what this arena is like, what this community is like, what this fan base is like, how handsome we all are, things like that. Did you were able to ingest that in a short time?
SPEAKER_16Yeah, it's obviously a great facility. Um pretty cool point out here. Um all the golf and stuff, and then the fans were great when we played here for when I played here for those two games. So um, yeah, it was a great experience so far.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Coach, put no shortage of responsibility on you from the get. I assume that's something that you personally were enthused about and that you wanted.
SPEAKER_16Yeah, um, for sure. Trying to get them to trust me. Um, I obviously got a lot to work on um just on the defensive side of things and getting stronger, getting faster. So um, yeah, it's been good.
unknownOkay.
SPEAKER_03Any of those moments in in uh playing here in the playoffs that uh welcome the playoff hockey moment that you had it out there in the ice?
SPEAKER_16Yeah, well, I think um obviously defending um the guys in Colorado for sure are are pretty tough. They're fast, they're skilled, um, and then they got some good D, um, lockdown D. So um yeah, it was tough for sure.
SPEAKER_10Jake World, obviously, you know, you could be uh with a prime opportunity to play in the battle next year, but uh among the guys that you know in the Kraken organization that you played with this year, a lot of young guys. What can you say about this core group that the Kraken had?
SPEAKER_16Yeah, um obviously they've drafted really well, and uh we have a lot of guys coming up and um are gonna be really good players, so um I'm really excited to be a part of it. Um team is a very young team this year here in Coachella, and uh we they made it pretty far, so um it's definitely cool to be a part of.
SPEAKER_10What were your thoughts generally on kind of your progress this year? Uh it seemed like you know you definitely progressed in your own game, but uh just also the progress of the group, especially the younger guys that you guys have in this in this uh this room.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, uh I'll start with me. I I think uh I took steps this year for sure. I would be happy if I looked back in the year this year and look at where my game is now. I I definitely thought I took steps, but I think a lot of that came through our team, just our the charisma of going out there, getting worked every day. Uh obviously having uh the expectations of union practice to go out there and be the be the best player just because we're such a young group. It's a competitive group, and I think that goes a long way to be honest. What are you doing this summer, man? What do you got planned? Uh honestly, I don't really have anything planned as of right now. Um, I I wish I could have an answer. There's no trips, there's no no weddings or anything really ahead of me right now.
SPEAKER_00I remember as a segue from Blake's question, I think I asked you this last year. You come from a pretty small town, and you said this, I think last time that when you go back there, especially after the season you had, the all-star parent skills and such. When you go back this time, are they gonna especially welcome you?
SPEAKER_02Uh I mean a lot of it is my family, so I hope they give me a special welcome home. If they don't, obviously I understand doing something wrong. But uh yeah, going back home, obviously, being from a small town, it's it's small, so it's uh it's exciting to get back home for sure. It's unfortunate it is that we lost out.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, for the way that the season ended. Describe what it was like coming back here with the fellows. Was there a sense more so of pride or was it kind of a somber occasion?
SPEAKER_02Uh I think I think it was pride to be honest. Uh just with how young our team was, I think every single night it was like you wanted to kind of prove someone wrong, prove that our team that uh we could play with them, and uh, I did a good job of that looking back on the air.
SPEAKER_00Was there a sense? And I think that's I don't want to speak for anybody, that some of us may have felt it that once you guys beat Ontario, that the sky was the limit. We don't know. Uh we know this is gonna be a good team, a competitive playoff team after you beat those guys, was maybe like they could make a serious run. Did that lead to that same belief within you guys and ultimately some disappointment? Like there was still meat on the bone, perhaps.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, 100%. I think obviously we're not happy like losing out any every single year. It's by far the worst time of the year. Um, I think the Colorado series for sure there's a little bit that's gonna kind of bug you going through in the summer, but uh you can't really do anything about it now. So just look on to the future, look what you can do at AVU. And um, I think Colorado does have a really strong team to be honest too. If I give them credit, they've they're a really solid team over there. So um yeah, honestly.
unknownOkay.
SPEAKER_03This group of guys being so uh all you guys being so close. Um anything you can go with uh these next uh couple months of summer, uh that's great.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, uh there's lots of things to be honest. Uh obviously every single year you never have the same group, no matter how similar you think it will be during it offseason. I uh you can promise you that it won't be the exact same next year. So just having this group, it was it was a super good culture I thought we built this year here. I think obviously just seeing the passage and a good culture in that room for years, and uh bringing in all the young guys and just having the police in the room that we did, it was it was a special group that I don't miss it all the summer for sure.
SPEAKER_03Maybe not having the same group but a but a foundation then maybe that can carry on into another season? Yeah, 100%.
SPEAKER_02Like uh yeah, for a lot of a lot of players on our team this year, it was their first year, their second year. Um so obviously just take little things and try to learn what you can from this year and go into offseason and be ready for next year.
SPEAKER_10You guys have one of the youngest teams in the American hockey week, if not the youngest. Uh what does that say for the Kraken organization that you know they had such a strong group of young players in the organization?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I think uh it's exciting to be honest. I think uh especially I think we were the youngest team in AHL, so having a little push like we did there, it's uh it shows a lot about the prospects that Seattle have and uh the guys in the room and just the even the culture that they have here in Coachella. It's it's uh special culture when you go through those doors, and uh I think it's just carrying that on, carrying that tradition on. I think obviously guys like Johnny and Deuce and Steve and those are the guys that really carry the tradition of the culture at Gordon, and uh yeah, they're a special guest year out.
SPEAKER_11You guys overcame a lot of obstacles this year. I mean, you start the season without your captain, injuries, call-ups. Uh obviously, you're the youngest team in the league. Um, just kind of curious looking back, you know, resiliency was a word used a lot. Is there a word or phrase that maybe summarizes this team, defines year four as the franchise?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I think resilient is a great word for it, to be honest. Uh, I was doing an interview after the game in Colorado, and that's kind of what they brought up a lot of it was just the resiliency of our group. And um throughout the playoffs, we definitely showed that. Uh, I think uh there's times where it could have been easy to give up on each other or give up on the game, and we didn't, we kept pushing, which I think it it goes a long way, especially for a young group, like you said. It's uh it shows that you have some kind of character in that room for sure.
SPEAKER_07You and uh Logan were on the same line, most of you. You had JR and you had Yanni. Uh, can you describe that chemistry? Because you guys really had a lot of success this year.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I think a lot of that just becomes because of our friendship, to be honest, off the ice. I think uh we're really good, we are really good friends off the ice, and I think that goes a long way, uh, especially on ice, just having the belief or the confidence or just knowing that your line mate, like if Mo wants to give me a little trouble, like I it's Mo. Like, I I just know how to like I can have a little conversation with him. It's simple, simple talk with him. I think that's the biggest reason, honestly.
SPEAKER_07Anything specifically you want to work on the summer skills-wise for next year?
SPEAKER_02Uh probably just the cliche get bigger and stronger to be honest. And I think it is it's an important summer for me, it's an important summer for a lot of guys on our team. Um I think that's honestly that's the answer to always just getting bigger and stronger. There's certain things that I mean when I get into the summer, I'll worry about those after sure, but not right now. I just focus on the two.
SPEAKER_00All right, fire and squat. As a preface, just a brief reset here on the Desert Suns Fire and Ice Podcast presented by Desert Willow Golf Resort. Exit interviews for this fourth season final episode of the Fire and Ice podcast for this campaign. You've just heard the voices, at least on the player side, of Michael Stevens, William Adabana, Gustav Olson, Jake O'Brien, and Jacob Furkins. Coming up now, we're going to hear from Tyson Jutnoff, Lake Road, Jacob Melanchol, Nike Coco, and Ian McKinnon. Also want to credit those who are asking questions alongside yours truly, District Subsander John, Blake Arthur from KESQ, Brett Rosen from MBC Paul Springs, and our man Sean Lyon. All right, man. A lot of things to look back on in the season that was. If I look back on your season personally, the your pass and the game winner to JR against Ontario is probably gonna stand out most. What's gonna stand out most to you?
SPEAKER_05Uh like a moment from the season? Yeah. Yeah, that one for sure, I think. Uh pretty cool to take down the number one seed team as an underdog, especially in game five, double overtime on the road. So um that one definitely stands out most to me.
SPEAKER_00For the season as a whole, for yourself, do you feel as though you met your personal expectations? You exceeded them, you thought you could have done better. You tell us.
SPEAKER_05Um I think for me it's I was happy with the season I had. Um, I think it's kind of one of those things you're never satisfied with where you're at, and next year I'm hoping to come back and you know be better than I was this year. Um, so it's hard to say I kind of met or exceeded expectations is kind of set a baseline this year and hopefully just get better from there.
SPEAKER_00We talked about the last time I think uh you and I talked one-on-one about all the hard work that you put in in the previous off season to get to this point and basically spending the whole summer in Seattle. Um, did all that pay off?
SPEAKER_05Yeah, for sure. I think that they obviously did a great job last year, and I'm happy with the season I had. Um, and then I think that all that hard work in the summer kind of sacrificing that uh rewarded me this year. So what does it off season look like for you this year? Yeah, I'm gonna head back to Kelowna here in the next couple days. Um obviously take a little bit of time off, a little break from the season, and kind of figure out what uh next steps look like and what the plan is for training and skating and all that. What was a learning experience for some of the younger guys that a lot of the first time playoffs? I think we just realize how intense it is. Uh obviously a lot of us have played playoffs in junior hockey and college hockey, but it's not the same as pro. Um just learning kind of the ins and outs of every day and kind of how different teams play and how to manage minutes like that is uh definitely learning.
SPEAKER_10Like what are just maybe a few things you're trying to work on in your own individual game as you enter next season?
SPEAKER_05I think for me it's the same thing every year. Almost you just keep getting stronger. Um guys in this level are a lot bigger, harder to you know push off the box, and that's gonna be a big thing for me. Um I think go into things like having a harder shot, um becoming a better skater too. I think I'm a pretty fluid skater, uh, but I want to become more explosive and kind of be able to beat guys more one-on-one with my skating next year. So I think those are gonna be pretty big uh elements for me this summer, and hopefully you can work on those. What do you love most about playing here in the Coachella Valley? I mean, the weather's hard to beat. Um I think you know, the weather every day coming to rinking slides is definitely does something for your mood. And Gucci slides, no bad. My brothers. Um and I think obviously the fans here. Fans are great. Um you've been playing a lot of different ranks across the AHL, and I don't think I've seen fans better than ours, so I think that's uh huge for our group here. Yeah, give me one more to describe this punch here. Uh media or no the team. Oh, the team. Oh, yeah. Um worry, it's not as basic. Let's say a left track.
SPEAKER_06Good one.
SPEAKER_05Okay.
SPEAKER_06Go ahead, Greg.
SPEAKER_00Start with this one, man. I think uh Andrew may have asked uh Jagger the same question and asked him, asked you the same specifically as far as seeing a lot of growth from year one to year two. You know, we're not there's not a chart or a list, but you guys definitely jump off as making huge jumps in your in your pro careers from year one, year two. Is that an assessment of yourself?
SPEAKER_12Yeah, I mean, I think it was it was a good year. Obviously, that first year is kind of a learning curve. Uh may take a little bit to get going, but I think coming into the second year, you're a lot more comfortable. Um, take on some more roles that you didn't in the years past, and you kind of just try and roll with it as best you can. And I thought I did a good job of that this year.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, when you look back at your own season, if there's one or two things that's gonna jump out to you most specifically, whether it be a moment, whether it be personal accomplishment or goal, what might those be?
SPEAKER_12Yeah, um for me personally, I think just my second half of the year um coming back from break, I think I really found my stride, found my game. Um, I was really, really happy with how I played. Uh, we had some injuries, so um, I thought I did a good job stepping up and producing, playing my playing well just consistently. So um, and then just the moment from this year, I mean the just the way we went throughout the playoffs and I mean a game five with a young group, um, two elimination games uh to come out with those was was a great experience.
SPEAKER_00For either yourself or the team as a whole, do you guys feel like you accomplished basically what you thought you could, or is there meat left on the bone with this bunch?
SPEAKER_12Yeah, I think I mean the expectations this year, nobody really knew. I mean, youngest team in the league, so it's it's tough to say how it was gonna go, but I think we accomplished a lot of what we wanted to. Obviously, you want to you want to end with a win, but only 31 teams get to do that. So uh or one team gets to do it, 31 don't. So I mean, it's tough, and we'd obviously have to be playing, but I think we we responded and had a really good year.
SPEAKER_10You know, after this last game, uh coach told me that while he was incredibly proud of what this young group was able to do this season, he felt like the talent was there. That maybe a couple breaks here or there, you guys make make it even further. Is that shared with the group that you know with the collective talent you guys had?
SPEAKER_12Yeah, I think so. I mean, there was that internal belief for sure. I think we had the group to do it. Um hockey's a crazy game. Bouncer, I mean you saw their first goal last game, just a crazy, unfortunate bounce. And that stuff happens sometimes. But uh yeah, I definitely think we had the group and could have been could have been better.
SPEAKER_10I mean, looking at maybe even next year, if you know you get a collection of these guys back, is it possible that you guys uh make an even deeper run?
SPEAKER_12Yeah, I mean you'd hope so. I mean, it's should be a pretty similar nucleus back here, but I think we're gonna get younger as well. I mean, draft picks coming up um and signing. So it's gonna be pretty similar, I'd assume, uh, the next year. Hopefully get some of the vets back and uh run it back again.
SPEAKER_11Did you guys feel like you were playing with house money, so to speak? I mean, being so young and that being the narrative with this team and just kind of going out and playing free and then just letting it happen, letting it all just on the ice.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, I I think so. It's funny because that's what Lax was saying, play with house money. So I mean, um, yeah, like being a young team, the narrative was yeah, like they're gonna fizzle out and they're not gonna they're not gonna do anything. But I think we just had an internal belief and let's just play our game and see where this thing goes. So I mean, nothing really to lose as a young group. Um, like I said, we kind of accomplished most of what we wanted to. So yeah, it was nice to play free.
SPEAKER_11And then how do you describe the the high of that Ontario series, the the manner in which you guys won that series, and then the low of the defeat in Colorado?
SPEAKER_12Yeah, that's tough. I mean, half of playoffs or half of the sports in general is managing your emotions. I mean, you're gonna go through highs and lows, uh, but never get too high, never get too low is kind of what we say. Um, it's just a mental battle, I think. But that's something you gotta learn. I mean, with a young group, I think it may be a little bit challenge, but uh you learn as you go. And uh I think we responded well. I think I don't think we played bad hockey against Colorado. I think just a couple bounces uh they capitalized in their chances. They're a veteran group. So um yeah, I I think we managed it pretty well, which is unfortunate.
SPEAKER_11I know we were sorry, go ahead, Sean.
SPEAKER_07Yeah, as your season progressed, I mean you came off injury from last year into this year, yeah, and you really did uh you know took off the gangbusters and scoring. One of the things is that your speed was I mean, you were a really fast skater. We can see it mostly as the season progresses. Is that something that you know you were working on?
SPEAKER_12Yeah, I think speed's always just part of my game. Um, that's what makes me be good out there. And unfortunately over the offseason I wasn't able to train very much with the surgery I had, and I didn't skate till late August. So coming to training camp and then unfortunately broke my hand in training camp. So tough a tough couple tough bounces. Um, so it took me a little bit to get going. But once I found my stride, I think that's just what I lean on is my skating. And like you said, I had a good second half.
SPEAKER_07Is that something you'll continue to work on over the summer or is there other skills you want to work on?
SPEAKER_12Yeah, I think that's I think what you're good at, you should make it elite, and then what you struggle with, you should make it good. So um I'll continue to work on the speed, um, skating, and I think just overall strength, skills, and yeah, it should be good summer.
SPEAKER_11Uh no, we talked about it over there, but just want to get it on record, just kind of asking everybody their summer plans away from hockey. Uh can you just tell us a little bit about that?
SPEAKER_12Yeah, um, I'll be in Minnesota for the summer, uh head out here next week. And um a little lake time, just relax for a few weeks here, and then I'll start training. Um my strength coach, uh Sean Skyhan back in Minnesota. Um yeah, I mean, just have a good summer. It'll be work and pleasure, relax, um, and it should be ready to go for training campaign.
SPEAKER_00All right, Mel, uh start by asking you this, man. Having had the benefit of being here for uh a few years plus, where do you think this season fits as a chapter in the overall story of the Firebirds?
SPEAKER_13Yeah, I think it was definitely not where we want to be right now. Like we'd still want to be a player, but I think overall the success that we had this year has been tremendous, and just seeing the growth of all the newcomers of the first years, and even the guys like me, Logan Morrison, I feel like a lot of us have grown this year. And I mean, there's just a lot of uh caring for each other and working with each other to make each other better each day.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, as far as yourself and getting better. What a season, man. A lot of back and forth, more time in the NHL, I believe, than games played here in the regular season. When you got a moment to kind of look back at this year, what are you gonna look back at most for yourself personally?
SPEAKER_13Yeah, uh it was a massive year. It's obviously a dream from true to be able to live out my dream in the NHL. And I mean, it's gonna be nice here the next couple weeks to kind of look back on it with my family and just kind of be thankful for where I got this year, but also knowing how much work I have to put in this summer to hopefully sustain that and be up there full time.
SPEAKER_00Um, you have an atypical, you don't have that many scratches on your face, man. There's usually a few more cuts at this point in the season. Something go awry, or are you looking out for the moneymakers?
SPEAKER_13Okay, okay, consider. So I got enough.
SPEAKER_11To that point, it feels like you know, you and John Hayden are really the I don't want to say enforcers, but you know, the physical presence, the leaders on the ice for this team. Going up against Colorado, they got some big dudes, obviously. I know the series is done, but what was that like playing uh such a big team?
SPEAKER_13Yeah, I mean it's uh it's tough playing those bigger teams. I mean, we throw a body around, but you know, playing against some that you're gonna get hit as many times as you throw them. So I mean, they're a great team over there, they got a lot of depth, and they're definitely tough to play against.
SPEAKER_11Asking all the players what they're gonna do this summer, what are your plans? Uh, any trips or anything, Fuck yeah, I don't I don't think anything special.
SPEAKER_13I'll be just back home training and uh working out there and hopefully get on a golf trip here or there. But other than that, just be home.
SPEAKER_10What's the what's the training gonna look like for you? Anything specific you're you're trying to work on, or just kind of your overall game?
SPEAKER_13Yeah, I just think everything really, I don't think there's one thing that I need to really dial in. I mean, ball plays and stuff like that. I mean, I need to be keen on and try to work as much as I can on. But I think just overall, just speed, pace, and just plays with the punk is what I just need to keep working on those little areas.
SPEAKER_10You know, you look at the organization uh from you know, the crack and have, and and you know, really young organization, this core group of guys, very, very talented. What can you say about the group of guys that you guys have in this organization?
SPEAKER_13Yeah, I mean, that's been awesome, right? Being able to kind of grow. With these guys, and now see Brian Winterton in the NHL, Riker Evans, so a lot of guys that I played with down here, and now everyone's kind of making that jump. So it's it's awesome to see, and it just makes it even better when you're up there playing with them.
SPEAKER_07When you were up with the Kraken, it it seemed like the the answer and the cure for the Kraken were you and Ben Myers again in the fourth line and scoring goals. You know, what was the feeling like uh with that when you guys were having that success?
SPEAKER_13Yeah, it was awesome. I mean, being able to play with Benny and Wentz was uh incredible to be up there with them. And I mean, yeah, we're just kind of playing our game, playing simple, me bringing my physicality and their skill. And it was uh awesome to see the success we could have together.
SPEAKER_06And this is your first goal this year in the NHL? Yeah, a special place you put the uh the puck or yeah, I think I made a home safe and sound, so we'll see.
SPEAKER_13See when I get back.
SPEAKER_00Start with Disney K. When uh when you look back at the season, what's gonna what's gonna stand out most for you personally?
SPEAKER_09Uh yeah, I think it was good season happen uh a lot of things happen, and uh yeah, I think that was our best this year what we can like do, and uh, I think we we did it good good year.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, do you think this team ultimately had the potential to make it further, or do you think that this satisfies as far as you guys made it about how far you thought you might?
SPEAKER_09Yeah, of course uh I planned winter champion, but uh yeah, I think we we uh how to say we show our potential and uh Colorado was was was a really good team, but but I think yeah I'm really proud of our team, how how far we we play.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, what was it in particular about Colorado that um that you thought was was strong?
SPEAKER_09Yeah, I think they are a little bit older team, they have more experience, um, they have a lot of skill. Yeah, I think uh yeah they are they are they're a really good team. I'm not uh surprised if they win today this year card.
SPEAKER_02Agreed.
SPEAKER_11Okay, I've been asking everybody kind of what their plans are after the ice this summer of you go back home, what what are you gonna do?
SPEAKER_09Uh I rest now and um start the training and uh I think I try to enjoy being with my family and friends and uh get uh energy and when next year I I come here I have better Mickey Coco.
SPEAKER_11How would you assess your season as a whole? How would you uh evaluate yourself this season overall?
SPEAKER_09Uh yeah, it was okay. I think regular season start was a little bit hard for me, but then I think after when I come back after my injury, then I feel like I am like how I like how I play. Um playoffs I think uh start was a little bit tough for me, but I think got more more games going and I feel I I uh I play how I want and uh do saves what we need to if we want to win and uh yeah I'm I'm happy for how I and the playoffs. I feel I I give everything what I can and uh and uh yeah it's it's uh not fun we we don't win but but I am I know now and I I can like how does I like be like normally like I know like me and whole team try to try to everything.
SPEAKER_11And last one for me, you're you're a fan favorite here. You know, you got a song, you got all the signs, everyone's got Coco jerseys. Uh what do you love most about playing here in the Coachella Valley?
SPEAKER_09Uh yeah, this is this is really uh really beautiful place. Uh we have the best fans and I'm really happy I I can play this organization and uh here and uh and I I uh I I see uh these fans we we need to win the countercup and I yeah I I really love everybody in the valley and uh people are so nice for me and and uh yeah I I don't know how to say I I really love and I I feel really comfortable and it's every every home game it's really nice to play with those fans and it's it's they are giving me a lot thanks.
SPEAKER_10Obviously a very young group. You guys feel like you uh it feels like you guys grew up a little bit this year. What can fans expect from this group next year? Uh I mean uh even even better than this year or about the same? Uh what are you saying? What do you think?
SPEAKER_09Yeah, I think uh ECR, we had a lot of we had a young group and I think it was one of the youngest in the whole AHL like all time, and and uh I think our like practice we practice really good and everybody like wants to improve their self and and I think we yeah, we did really good job for the we had a lot of first first year guys, this team, and uh I think next year we had more experience and but I think these playoffs what we played give everybody a lot like uh uh yeah, I I think next year we we are a better team.
SPEAKER_07This year you had four shutouts, uh we had four shutout wins, which you won all four, and you got to win uh a game in the NHL. What is what would you come away as your highlight for the year with all that accomplished?
SPEAKER_09Uh yeah, I think last Friday game was like my my uh best game in the whole uh whole whole season and uh and uh yeah for shoutouts and it's good to to happen in the playoffs and uh but yeah that NHL NHL when I was in Seattle that's given me a lot. I I think now I I know and I see what I need to be better if I want lay there and I I trust uh I I can play there uh like quick.
SPEAKER_07Anything specific from that you know experience that you're gonna take away and work on this summer?
SPEAKER_09Yeah, I uh I want to be more power power for my legs and uh and I think like of course every everything I need to I'm still young I need to uh improve my like whole strength and uh and uh on the eyes I of course I think moving is the biggest thing for the goal is in future too, so yeah, that's maybe like two yeah.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, just gonna head back to Toronto uh spend some time with family, golf, and uh yeah, just take it easy for a little bit, you know, reset and then uh get back after a month or so.
SPEAKER_11You've been here a long time. Uh, you know, the phrase that comes to mind with this group is you know, exceeded expectations. We're and and obviously being a young team. Is that something that motivated you guys that you were like, you know, this isn't exceeding expectations, this is what we're expected to do?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think it's important to have a goal at the start of the year. The goal is always to uh go as far as you can and be as successful as you can. Um and you know, a lot of guys stepped up throughout the year, you know, you expect you expect a lot from everybody, but you don't um you don't always know how the young guys will adapt to the league, and uh, you know, you just gotta make sure you you try to help them along, and they did a great job of picking it up right till the end, and everyone got better and better. And um yeah, you know, it's tough to say you exceeded expectations when you fall short, but I I definitely think we we went farther than um than most people expected at the start of the year.
SPEAKER_11Uh and you've been here for all four years, if if I'm correct. Uh, what stands out about this group, this year's team, what differences? What's something you're gonna remember about this group?
SPEAKER_01Um, I think every year we've obviously got a little younger, so it's a different uh dynamic in the locker room. But um yeah, one thing that stood out is just you know, there's good camaraderie in our locker room, and we're a close group, so um, you know, we want to build that forward every year and keep that uh environment in our locker room. And I think that another year um like this was just a good stepping stone for us.
SPEAKER_00For you, kind of two different lenses probably look at the season. Unfortunately, you had to miss that final stretch, and then the playoff games. Were you able to gain like a different appreciation for this group watching the games instead of playing?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's I mean, it always sucks not uh you know missing time. Um and uh you never really know when when that's gonna happen just because part of the game, but uh but yeah, it it was it was nice to watch um some of the guys uh really step up and uh you know um some guys are on contract years and others aren't, and you know, you just uh you hope everyone does the best and um you know gives themselves a good opportunity for for the future, and I think a lot of guys did that, and uh yeah, it was it was good to see.
SPEAKER_00Talked about the youth of this team a lot, if not ad nauseum, but we've also talked about the fact that there's been some great veterans that these guys have to look up to. Did you see some instances where guys in particular are like, yeah, I taught them something, I told whoever something when they actually listened to me.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, uh, most of the time, uh, you know, there's a lot of information sometimes to give guys, and there's a lot of different voices and different ways to spread it. Um, so you you kind of got to just give it some time and let it soak into some guys, and you know, eventually they'll pick up on like good habits and uh you know just habits of being a pro. And I think guys are getting there.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. As Blake referenced, haven't had the benefit of being here throughout our existence. One of just three guys that can say that. Do you feel like that for this fan base, for this community, for where we live, that that this that this this still burns, this fire still burns with passion as it has from the beginning of the Firebirds introduction?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, um, obviously, you know, the fans in the community deserves a championship here, and I think that uh will follow in the coming years. Um, we've fallen short a few times, but I still think you know, we're always in the it's always the goal in our locker room to give the the fans and the community um what they deserve. And um I think there's still time to uh to build, and uh you know, obviously it's not an easy trophy to win, but um I I think that there's a very bright future for this club and for the community, and uh yeah, we appreciate them so much with the support. And uh yeah, we just want to make sure that they uh get what they deserve one day.
SPEAKER_08All right, guys. All right, man.
SPEAKER_00All right, firebirds friends. It's gonna wrap it up for this episode and this season of the Desert Suns Fire and Ice podcast presented by Desert Willow Golf Resort. So appreciative of your time, your interest, your ears, your ongoing support of this endeavor across four seasons of CV Firebird Talkie. You know, sometimes folks ask me about the numbers, who listens, where are they coming from, how many listeners, things like that. So proud to say that over the course of four years, four seasons of Firebird Talkie, Fire Nights podcasts has had listeners from 74 different countries slash territories, at least what the stats tell me, and almost 900 cities across the world have tuned in over four years' time. So if you're listening, you're one of those folks, please know how much I appreciate you. If not, again, for your interest and support of this endeavor. Wouldn't be going for four years strong. And I hope and trust and I believe that because of this continued interest and support, that this endeavor will continue for year five. That's the Fibonacci wooden anniversary, by the way. That might be good juju as the good guys continue to seek the AHL's ultimate prize, get back to that Collar Cup finals and grab that trophy, be the one team smiling at the end of the season while the other 31 or 15 or playing golf, or certainly not sulking. I sound a little salty that's because I am. I never really liked it. Additionally, of course, and in concert with all of your support in this program, I've got to thank my friends and colleagues at the Desert Sun newspaper. Year one of uh partner in crime, and that worked out great. Uh DesertSun.com is where we did all your valley news, events, politics, reported, festivals, firebirds, and soon Coachello Valley Lakers, G-Link Basketball Care, which is also something you can find. So go support them because they support me. Get that online subscription at DesertSun.com or heck, get the handheld tangible subscription by buying yourself a Desert Sun newspaper. Desert Willow Golf Resort, right here in Sun Paul Desert, California. That's home to the Dr. Herdson and uh Dana Fry, a former partnership. They designed the Mountain View and Firecliffe courses. Truly one of the great public golf facilities west of the Mississippi, friends. If you're looking to tee up over the course of the summer, take it for me. Head over to DW. You're gonna be surprised at how great the conditions are in 100 plus degrees. Make the tea times online at desertwillow.com. And when you're on there poking around, be sure to check out the excellent site, Palm Desert Golf Academy. And because all the courses here start to slow down this summer, now I finally have a little more time to eke my way onto the Desert Willow teaching. Look forward to teaming it up over there with my man Brian Simpson. Again, thank you so much to Desert Willow for their continued, buoyant, and ongoing support of the Fire and Ice podcast. Last but certainly not least, so great to welcome the Ground Squirrel and the 29 Falls Beer Company, the supporters of the program this year. They're of course up there in 29 Falls. The Ground Squirrel, G R N D, SQRL, my man Joel Peterson up there. Go say hi to Joel when you pop into the Ground Squirrel. He's a nice guy. He's sweetish, of course, he's a nice guy. Ground Squirrel, of course, with their awesome gaster pub style scratch-made menu. They got some great beers, interesting beers, rotating list of craft beers. After you eat at the ground squirrel, hey, you skate it right on down the street. It's a potent power play. Go check out the 29 Palms beer company. Maybe you're a local looking for a little staycation, you just want to cool off for the day or for a long weekend, you're up in 29 Palms, go support those folks because they have supported me. Or if you're visiting the desert, you're going to Pioneer Town or Joshua Tree, you're looking for a place to hang out after a long hike, have a couple beers, again, check out the Ground Squirrel and 29 Palms Beer Company. Again, thank you so much, gentle listeners, for tuning into the Desert Suns Fire Nights podcast presented by Desert Willow Golf Resort. Enjoy the rest of these AHL Calder Cup playoffs as they are now down to the final four. Thank you again for listening, and as always, be well.
