Glass and Out: Coachella Valley Firebirds Head Coach Derek Laxdal: Improving the skill of defending, handling a tough loss and staying optim

Episode Description
In episode #287, Head Coach of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Derek Laxdal, stops by. His coaching career has seen him climb from the now defunct Western Professional Hockey League, to the Central Hockey League, the East Coast Hockey League, to the Western Hockey League, the American League and finally, to the show. During that time, he's successfully navigated the ebbs and flows of his coaching journey with his trademark optimism and enthusiam. Today, Laxdal is the Head Coach of the AHL affiliate to the Seattle Kraken. No different than any other team hes coached, he has the Birds in contention as they make their way towards another playoff run. Listen as he shares why the skill of defending is lacking in today's young player, how to change the narritive after a tough loss, and how to stay optimistic through the challenges of a coaching career.
Last Three Posts
- May 15, 2025 - Glass and Out: NJ Devils Foundation Executive Director Kate Whitman Annis: Empowering young athletes, team goal setting and learning to expl
- May 08, 2025 - Glass and Out: LA Kings Director of Goaltending Bill Ranford: Finding a players foundation, new tools over change and a goalies unique ident
- May 01, 2025 - Glass and Out: Grizzlys Wolfsburg Head Coach Mike Stewart: Great coaches are thieves, the lost art of passing and adopting Olympic-sized rin