Captain of the Coachella Valley Firebirds Max McCormick has retired from professional hockey following a 12-year career.
McCormick, who missed most of the 2024-25 season and all of the 2025-26 campaign due to injury, played 540 games in the American Hockey League with the Firebirds, Charlotte Checkers, Chicago Wolves, Colorado Eagles, Belleville Senators and Binghamton Senators. He combined for 159 goals and 178 assists for 337 points, and played in the AHL All-Star Classic in 2023.
McCormick added 26 goals and 19 assists for 45 points in 53 Calder Cup Playoff games, captaining Coachella Valley to the Western Conference championship in the club’s first two seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24).
Signed as a free agent by the Seattle Kraken ahead of their inaugural season in 2021-22, McCormick is the Firebirds franchise leader in goals (67) while ranking second in points (140) and third in games (158).
“The decision to retire from this sport that I have loved for a long time was not easy, and since I wish I could play forever, it is time for me to hang up my skates,” said McCormick. “When I look back on my career, I am filled with nothing but gratitude and pride. Hockey has given me many great memories, lifelong friendships, and opportunities I never imagined.”
McCormick was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the sixth round of the 2011 NHL Draft and played 94 games in the National Hockey League with Ottawa, Carolina and Seattle, tallying eight goals and five assists.
McCormick was named the Firebirds’ winner of the AHL’s IOA/American Specialty Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the local community and philanthropic organizations in 2025-26.
