Courtesy: Utica Comets
UTICA, N.Y. — The Utica Comets are welcoming Braden Birch as their new general manager.
Birch is stepping into the role after Dan MacKinnon led the team for the past five seasons.
Birch, 36, comes to Utica after 12 years with the Florida Panthers, where he most recently worked as director of hockey operations and salary cap management. He also previously served as special assistant to the general manager.
Birch worked with New Jersey Devils General Manager Sunny Mehta in Florida and played a major part in the Panthers’ back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2024 and 2025.
Mehta said Birch’s mix of on-ice and management experience “will be an asset in his new role and help strengthen hockey operations in both New Jersey and Utica.”
The Comets will look to Birch’s leadership as he takes on his new responsibilities in Utica.