Firebirds Retain Olofsson for Upcoming Season

On July 29, 2026, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Seattle Kraken's American Hockey League affiliate, announced the re-signing of defenseman Gustav Olofsson to a one-year contract. Olofsson, who has been competing in the NHL since the 2014-15 season, began his career with the Minnesota Wild's AHL team, the Iowa Wild.

After spending four seasons with Minnesota, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens on October 3, 2018, where he remained for three seasons. Olofsson signed with the Kraken as a free agent ahead of the 2021-22 season, during which he played with the Charlotte Checkers, since the Firebirds had not yet been established.

The 2022-23 season marked Olofsson's first with the Firebirds, where he played 20 games and recorded six points, along with three appearances for the Kraken. In the 2023-24 season, he played 51 games for the Firebirds, achieving 12 points, and suited up for one game with the Kraken.

The following season, Olofsson played all 51 games for the Firebirds, improving his performance to 17 points. Last season, he had a standout year with 48 games played, scoring four goals and providing 28 assists for a total of 32 points, marking both a career-high for him and within the Kraken organization.

Given his experience and strong performance, Olofsson is seen as a vital veteran presence on the Firebirds' blue line, making his re-signing a strategic move for the organization's continued development and competitive positioning in the AHL.