Kyle Hagel has joined the Seattle Thunderbirds coaching staff.
Hagel will work with new head coach Matt O’Dette, who was promoted July 12, succeeding Steve Konowalchuk, who joined the Anaheim Ducks as an assistant coach on June 28.
“We are excited to add Kyle to our coaching staff heading into next season,” said Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell. “He brings significant, hard earned experience as a professional hockey player and a real passion for the game. He is excited to get started and help young players learn what it takes to move on to professional hockey.”
“My family and I are super excited to join the T-Birds,” Hagel said. “I owe a big thank you to Russ Farwell and Matt O’Dette for bringing me onboard. I am anxious to start working with our players to help them become 200-foot hockey players and quality young men. Most importantly, it’s super exciting to help build a team that believes in each other.”
Hagel played 450 professional games as a forward and defenseman over nine seasons in the AHL and ECHL with the Fresno Falcons (ECHL 2008-09), Reading Royals (ECHL 2008-09), Rochester Americans (AHL 2008-09), Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL 2009-10), Rockford IceHogs (AHL 2009-11), Peoria Rivermen (AHL 2011-12), Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL 2012-13), Portland Pirates (AHL 2013-14) and Charlotte Checkers (AHL 2014-17).
“Kyle exemplifies the type of character we are looking for in the T-Birds organization,” O’Dette said. “He’s intelligent, hardworking and will be a huge asset to our coaching staff. His work ethic and passion for the game will make for a smooth transition into the coaching ranks.”
The WHL champion T-Birds begin the 2017-18 Western Hockey League regular season against the Tri-City Americans on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7:05 p.m. at the ShoWare Center.
