Coachella Valley Firebirds sign their first two hockey players as roster begins to take shape

Shad Powers, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read
Ian McKinnon, a 24-year-old hockey player who played for Providence of the AHL last year, was named as one of the first two players in Coachella Valley Firebirds history on Monday.
Ian McKinnon, a 24-year-old hockey player who played for Providence of the AHL last year, was named as one of the first two players in Coachella Valley Firebirds history on Monday.
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As the Coachella Valley Firebirds grow closer to their inaugural season, almost every week brings with it a new first.

Their first head coach Dan Bylsman was named earlier this summer. Their first assistant coach Jessica Campbell was named last week, and on Monday, the Firebirds announced their first two players as their roster begins to take shape.

The Firebirds announced the signing of Samuel Bucek and Ian McKinnon as the first two players in team history.

Bucek (pronounced b-EWE-sec) is a 23-year-old who was the top scorer in Slovakia's professional league. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound winger had 41 goals and 64 points while playing for HK Nitra last season in ExtraLiga and was named the league's playoff MVP, racking up 13 goals and 11 assists in 19 playoff games.

Samuel Bucek was signed Monday as one of the first two players in Coachella Valley Firebirds history.
Samuel Bucek was signed Monday as one of the first two players in Coachella Valley Firebirds history.

Bucek has represented his native Slovakia in several international tournaments, including the 2018 World Jr. Championships.

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McKinnon is new to the Firebirds but not new to the AHL. The 24-year-old is a 6-foot-2, 196-pound winger who split time last season between the Providence Bruins of the AHL and the Maine Mariners and Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL. He helped Jacksonville earn a playoff berth.

Both players are on their way to Seattle to participate with other Kraken prospects participating in the team's summer development camp in Seattle. The four-day camp began today and goes through Thursday.

“We are building a team that leads with skill, tenacity and impact on and off the ice,” said Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma. “Both Samuel Bucek and Ian McKinnon have the potential to be strong leaders for our team and we anticipate them having a solid impact in the AHL.”

The first Firebirds season will begin in October with their first game in the desert slated for December when their new home, Acrisure Arena, is completed.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Valley Firebirds announce names of their first two players