Fans of the blackjack online canada know high-stakes drama and surprising comebacks. A similar story is happening in the NHL, now in Seattle. Dan Bylsma is the new head coach. He is the second in the team’s history. This change opens a new chapter for the Kraken franchise. Bylsma is famous for winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His return to an NHL bench is not a comeback. It’s also a tale of rediscovery, resilience, and a chance for redemption in the Pacific Northwest.
SEATTLE — Dan Bylsma became an assistant coach in the American Hockey League in 2021. He wanted to find joy in coaching again.
Being back on an NHL bench wasn’t on the mind of the former Bowling Green State University standout at that time.
“I needed to find the joy of coaching again and change how I connect with the players,” Bylsma said. “Having done that over the past three years, it has led me to this wanting to be the next opportunity I take.”
Bylsma became the Seattle Kraken’s second head coach on Tuesday. This marks his first time leading an NHL team since 2017.
He played for Bowling Green State University from 1988 to 1992. In his freshman season of 1989, Bylsma was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets, No. 109.
Since his last NHL head coaching role in Buffalo, Bylsma’s path has included a few seasons as an assistant in Detroit, marking a winding road back to the top. The assistant role with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL for the 2021-22 season was key. It helped lead to the head coach role for the Coachella Valley Firebirds. This was their first season in 2022-23 as the Kraken’s main affiliate.
Now he has the chance to lead a team again. Now, he wants to find the same success he had in Pittsburgh. There, he led the Penguins to a Stanley Cup and several playoff runs. During that time, he won a Stanley Cup, made the playoffs six times, and earned the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year.
“He’s earned this opportunity through hard work and dedication,” said Kraken GM Ron Francis.
Bylsma replaces Dave Hakstol. Hakstol was let go after his third season as head coach. After leading the Kraken to a surprising playoff run in their second year, expectations rose. That achievement led the organization to reward him with a two-year contract extension. The team took a big step back the next season. They struggled on offense and couldn’t keep the momentum going. Hakstol left early because of a scoring drought and a lack of consistency. The team made a change before his contract extension started.
Francis said they looked at five candidates. In the end, they chose Bylsma to lead.
“After watching him work with Coachella Valley for the last few years, it was clear he was the right choice for us. He built strong relationships with his players. He put in great effort, and his teams played hard every night,” Francis said.
Selecting Bylsma is a key move for Kraken management. They want to secure their place in the local sports market. The possible return of the NBA and the SuperSonics makes this choice even more crucial.
The team surprised everyone by making the playoffs in Year 2. Yet, last season, they struggled. Problems with the local sports network also hurt their visibility.
The Kraken is set to offer broadcasts over the air and a streaming option on Prime Video for the next season. This should help a lot. But in the end, what matters most is putting a competitive, winning team on the ice.
“I think we’re still growing this franchise, and we have incredible fans, and we want to do right by them. “Our fans deserve the best. We’re committed to building and growing our fan base,” said team owner Samantha Holloway.
Bylsma still has work to do before he fully steps into his new role. Coachella Valley is set to begin the Western Conference finals in the Calder Cup playoffs this Wednesday.
When he wrapped up his tasks in Seattle, Bylsma took a plane back to Southern California.
“What we’ve built with the fans, the team, and the community in Coachella Valley is a huge reason I’m in this position today,” Bylsma reflected.
Conclusion
As Dan Bylsma gets ready to lead in Seattle, the Kraken reach a key moment. They have talent, a lively fan base, and a strong leader now guiding them. His rise from AHL assistant to NHL head coach is not a comeback. It shows growth, perseverance, and a renewed love for the game. With Bylsma in charge, the Kraken aim to find a new path. They want to return to the playoffs and build on Seattle’s sports legacy.
