Blades coach Brennan Sonne leaving Saskatoon for Coachella Valley

The head coach of the Saskatoon Blades is heading to southern California for a new opportunity.

Brennan Sonne will be joining the staff of the Coachella Valley Firebirds as an assistant coach, the team announced on Monday. The Firebirds are the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.

Sonne, who was named the WHL’s coach of the year in 2023 and was nominated again this year, led his team to the Eastern Conference Championship this year before they fell in Game 7 against the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Blades had a 105-point season in 2024, with a 50-13-5 record.

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity, and my wife, daughter, and I are thrilled to be joining the Coachella Valley community,” Sonne said in a statement.

For all the memories, thank you for everything Brennan.

Full Details: https://t.co/QBX8YFxAGF pic.twitter.com/LsFVixxMjS

— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) July 15, 2024

“I intend on working tirelessly towards assisting the rest of the staff, developing future Kraken, and continuing the already winning tradition of the Firebirds franchise.”

Sonne, who’s originally from Maple Ridge, B.C., led the Blades for three seasons, taking the team on two consecutive playoff runs.

“Brennan is a great addition to our coaching staff,” the Firebirds’ newly named head coach Derek Laxdal said in a statement. “He’s an up-and-coming coach who has a proven track record in the WHL of building relationships and developing players.”

Moosomin’s Jessica Campbell, who was recently named the NHL’s first female assistant coach, previously worked as an assistant coach with the Firebirds before moving up to coach for the Kraken earlier this month.

The Blades are expected to say more about the move at a media event on Monday afternoon.