The ‘future is bright’ for the Coachella Valley Firebirds
Coachella Valley will be younger next season, but should be very talented and exciting
New Seattle Kraken head coach Lane Lambert hired three assistant coaches on Tuesday to fill out his staff, and one of those hires will leave a hole here with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Goalie coach Colin Zulianello, who has been with the Firebirds all three years, has been promoted to the same position with the Kraken.
Zulianello, who knows a thing or two about Kraken No. 1 goalie Joey Daccord from their time together with the Firebirds, was hired along with outgoing New Jersey Devils assistant Chris Taylor and former AHL Colorado Eagles head coach Aaron Schneekloth as assistant coaches in Seattle.
Zulianello, 46, worked closely with Daccord and prospect Nikke Kokko, who finished the 2024-25 campaign ranked first among AHL rookie netminders in wins (20), goals-against average (2.26) and save percentage (.913), while also being named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. Prior to working for Coachella Valley, Zulianello spent three seasons as the goaltending coach for the Stockton Heat (AHL) from 2016-19.
“We are very proud of Colin for his work and contributions to the organization,” said Troy Bodie, the Firebirds’ Vice President of Hockey Operations in a release. “Colin has devoted a tremendous amount of time and effort to his craft, and the results are evident in the success of our goaltenders both on and off the ice. We wish him all the best in his new role with the big club.”
No timeline was given on when the Firebirds will hire a replacement for Zulianello.
Zulianello will be reunited with former Firebirds coach Jessica Campbell, who is an incumbent assistant coach with the Kraken and will stay on as part of Lambert’s stash. He will not be reunited with former Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma, who was fired after one season with the Kraken.