Former Vancouver Canucks Forward Daniel Sprong Makes Interesting Comments After First AHL Game in Five Years

After a pair of incredible seasons in 2022-23 and 2024-25 where he registered over 40 points while only averaging around 12 minutes a night, Daniel Sprong probably never expected to be back in the American Hockey League.

After being traded to Seattle by the Vancouver Canucks back in November, Sprong got off to a bad start with the Kraken, which led to him being placed on waivers less than two weeks ago.

Going down to the American Hockey League, where he's been playing for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, was probably the best thing to happen to Daniel Sprong this season as he's been lights out.

After his first game with the Firebirds, Sprong made some interesting comments about how he thought he played that night.

In his debut with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Amsterdam native registered two goals and one assist, while criticizing how he played, saying that he was too many steps ahead and had to slow down mentally and "get on that speed".

Sprong also told reporters after that game that he wanted to prove that he doesn't belong in the American Hockey League and honestly, he is keeping to his word, putting up eight points (four goals, four assists) in just five games for Coachella Valley.

But there is a reason that Sprong isn't in the National Hockey League, he just wasn't playing well enough to make it worthwhile for the Kraken to have him on their roster.

His effort and compete levels weren't entirely there as they were during his back-to-back 40-point season and he's looked like a shadow of his former self.

However, with the way he's playing for Coachella Valley, it wouldn't be a surprise to anyone to see Sprong called up and help the Kraken in their push for a wild card spot in the Western Conference.

In 19 games between Vancouver and Seattle this season, the 27-year-old has five points (two goals, three assists), two penalty minutes and is a minus-one.