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"Coachella Valley Inks David Cotton, Jimmy Schuldt, and Eddie Wittchow as Part of Growing Lineup Leading Up to Inaugural Season" 

PALM SPRINGS, CA. – The Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds), the 32nd American Hockey League franchise and an affiliate of the National Hockey League's Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken), have signed forward David Cotton and defensemen Jimmy Schuldt and Eddie Wittchow for the 2022-2023 season. 

David Cotton joins the Firebirds from a Calder Cup Championship-winning season with the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves. In 81 AHL games, the Parker, TX-native recorded 37 points (21 goals, 16 assists) throughout two seasons. Cotton signed with the Blackhawks' affiliate following his senior year (2019-2020) at Boston College, where he served as team captain. In 2017-2018, the former Carolina Hurricanes draft choice (169th overall in 2015) helped the Eagles to an NCAA Hockey East Championship.

Jimmy Schuldt comes to Coachella Valley with 151 games of AHL experience across three seasons, skating with the Chicago Wolves, Henderson Silver Knights, and most recently with the Rochester Americans. In 2018-2019, the 6-foot-1, 203-pound right-handed shot played one game for the Vegas Golden Knights in the National Hockey League. Schuldt spent four seasons with St. Cloud State University and was named captain heading into his sophomore season. The 27-year-old hails from Minnetonka, MN. 

Eddie Wittchow (WITT-coe) brings over 200 games of professional hockey experience to the desert after spending the last three seasons in the Washington Capitals' organization with the Hershey Bears (AHL) and South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL). Following four seasons at the University of Wisconsin, the former 2011 Florida Panthers' sixth-round draft pick signed with the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds. Wittchow, a native of Burnsville, MN, played in Finland during the 2018-2019 season with KooKoo in Liiga. 

The Firebirds will face off for their Home Away from Home Series in Seattle this October against the Abbotsford Canucks and Calgary Wranglers. The four games will take place at three venues in the Seattle area. Tickets start at just $15 for the October 23 game at Climate Pledge Arena and $11 for the October 28 game at Angel Of The Winds Arena. For complete details on all Firebirds games in Seattle, click here. 

Coachella Valley's inaugural game will occur on Sunday, October 16, 2022, in Calgary against the Calgary Wranglers. The Firebird's home opening game will take place at Acrisure Arena, the newest world-class concert and sports venue explicitly designed for the Coachella Valley, on Sunday, December 18, 2022, against the Tucson Roadrunners. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 pm PT.

Season tickets for the 2022-2023 season are on sale now. For more information and to purchase season tickets for the inaugural season, please visit www.cvfirebirds.com or call 760-835-8778. In addition, view the team's entire game and promotional schedule, including theme night events, at www.cvfirebirds.com/schedule.