PALM DESERT, CA (July 15, 2024) — Today, the Coachella Firebirds, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Seattle Kraken, announced the hiring of Brennan Sonne as an assistant coach, joining newly-named head coach Derek Laxdal.

“Laxdal expressed his enthusiasm about Brennan joining our coaching staff, noting his exceptional coaching skills and proven success in the WHL. With his ability to foster strong connections and cultivate player growth, Brennan is a valuable asset. We are thrilled to have him join our excellent team, including myself, Stu Bickel, and the rest of the staff, as we embark on our journey in the Coachella Valley.”

Sonne expressed immense gratitude for the chance and conveyed his excitement about his family, consisting of his wife and daughter, becoming a part of the Coachella Valley community. He emphasized his unwavering commitment to supporting the rest of the team, nurturing future talents, and upholding the Firebirds franchise’s legacy of success.

At the age of 37, Sonne has made the decision to leave his role as head coach of the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and join Coachella. During his time with the Blades, Sonne led the team to an impressive 105-point record (50-13-5) in the 2023-24 season. This accomplishment resulted in the Blades being awarded the prestigious Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for having the best regular-season record in the WHL. This was a historic achievement for the franchise as it was the first time in their history that they surpassed the 100-point mark in consecutive seasons, with a previous record of 101 points (48-15-5) in the previous season. Sonne’s coaching prowess was recognized by being named the 2023-24 East Division finalist for the WHL Coach of the Year, a title he also won in the 2022-23 season.

Sonne spent three seasons (2021-22 to 2023-24) as the coach for the Blades, achieving a record of 136-54-14. During this time, he led the team to three consecutive WHL playoff runs and two Eastern Conference Final appearances. Prior to his stint with the Blades, Sonne served as an assistant coach for the Saskatoon and Everett Silvertips in the WHL from 2014-15 to 2016-17. He then transitioned to coaching the Ducs d’Angers in the Syberglace Ligue Magnus, the top hockey league in France, for four seasons (2017-18 to 2020-21). Additionally, Sonne had the opportunity to be an assistant coach for Canada’s White U17 World Hockey Challenge team, where they won a gold medal in 2024. Hailing from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Sonne has an extensive coaching career both domestically and internationally.

Before becoming a coach, Sonne had an active playing career in various hockey leagues. He participated in a total of 149 games in the WHL, playing for teams like the Everett Silvertips (from 2005-05 to 2007-08), Red Deer Rebels (2007-08), and Edmonton Oil Kings (2007-08). Additionally, he competed in 65 collegiate hockey games representing the University of British Columbia during the periods of 2008-09 and 2010-11. Throughout his playing career, he spent eight seasons playing in different leagues, including the British Columbia Hockey League, WHL, USports, and the South China Ice Hockey League.

Get a jump on the 2024-25 Firebirds season with season tickets on sale now! In addition to all Firebirds home games, season ticket members will have access to the 2025 AHL All Star Classic presented by Spotlight 29, along with special events, gifts, and more! Click HERE to learn more about securing your seat for next season!

Stay up to date on the latest Firebirds’ news and info by visiting CVFirebirds.com and by following the team on social media @Firebirds.