Dan Bylsma's Coaching Odyssey: From AHL Assistant to Leading the Seattle Kraken

Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

In 2021, Dan Bylsma took on an assistant coaching role in the American Hockey League to rekindle his enthusiasm for coaching.

On Tuesday, Bylsma was named the second head coach in Seattle Kraken history, marking his return to an NHL bench after a hiatus since 2017.

Bylsma's career path included roles as an assistant coach in Detroit and a head coach in Charlotte before he became an affiliate coach for the Kraken.

Bylsma takes over from Dave Hakstol, who was let go following an underwhelming season. General manager Ron Francis conducted thorough interviews with various candidates before choosing Bylsma.

The Kraken aim to carve out a significant niche in the Seattle sports scene, dealing with distribution challenges and striving to deliver a successful team.

Owner Samantha Holloway stressed the need to meet fans' expectations and to build the franchise.

Preparing for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals with Coachella Valley, Bylsma expressed his thanks for the team's support throughout his coaching journey.

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• Seattle Kraken News & Updates
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• NHL News