According to multiple reports, there is a stunning drama developing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of Canada's top junior leagues and a major feeder to the NHL. Ownership for the Flint Firebirds, currently in their first season after relocating and renaming the Plymouth (Mich.) Whalers, fired the entire coaching staff Sunday.
That’s not necessarily out of the ordinary even if its harshly early in the season for a first-year team. However, the players are having none of it.
According to ESPN’s John Buccigross, the entire team has walked out in protest of this decision. Among the players, owner Rolf Nilsen’s son, a 17-year-old defenseman on the team. He has also quit according to Buccigross.
Just heard Flint Firebirds come from behind against defending memorial cup champions, Oshawa tonight. Down 3-1. Come back & win 4-3 in OT...
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 9, 2015
..Coaches fired immediately after game. Entire team, all 24 Guys storm upstairs to front office, throw jersey on ground, quit and walk out
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 9, 2015
Another source: "such a show of solidarity when the boys bonded together and walked out. Even his (owner's) son quit." #Flint
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 9, 2015
Longtime junior hockey reporter Sunaya Sapurji of Yahoo! Sports and CBS affiliate WNEM-TV in Flint, among other outlets are also reporting the mass walkout of the team’s players.
The team has yet to make a formal announcement regarding staff changes, however.
It has been suggested via various reports, including one from OHLInsiders.com, that the coaches were let go in part due to the ice time, or lack thereof, the owner's son was getting. Hakon Nilsen, the rookie defenseman, has appeared in just five of the Firebirds' 17 games this season, including each of the last three.
Talented defenseman and Detroit Red Wings draft pick Vili Saarijarvi and Carolina Hurricanes top goalie prospect Alex Nedeljkovic are among five NHL draftees on the roster. Additionally, forward Will Bitten is projected to be a second-round pick in this year's NHL draft and is one of the league's top scorers.
Making matters more confusing, the Firebirds actually came back to beat defending Memorial Cup champion Oshawa Generals 4-3 in a shootout Sunday. The coaches were reportedly informed after the game. The team was also hosting its family night during which the players skated with the fans after the game. They were apparently informed after that.
John Gruden, a Minnesota native who played in 92 games in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals, was the team’s head coach. Dave Karpa, who played more than 550 games in the NHL was one of the assistant coaches. It is unclear what will happen with the second assistant coach, Petr Jonak.
Junior hockey is a bit of a different world compared to the pro ranks, but this is beyond bizarre for any league. It is unclear what will happen next. All of the players sign non-paid agreements, which often come with a promise of educational funding if players don't go pro. Those agreements have certain requirements and the players also can be subject to trades. This could only be the beginning.
The Firebirds came to Flint after a 19-year run in Plymouth, Mich., as the Whalers. That team was owned by Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos, who is set to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday night. He sold the team to Nilsen last year and it was subsequently moved to Flint and rebranded over the offseason.
Flint is currently 7-9-0-1, which puts them ninth in the 10-team Western Conference and last in their division. The team’s next game is scheduled for Friday against the Sarnia Sting. Stay tuned for more from this bizarre story.
Update: On Monday evening the Firebirds announced that the team has taken the steps to immediately reinstate all of the coaches that were fired on Sunday evening. Owner Rolf Nilsen released the following statement where he admitted "an irresponsible mistake" regarding the team's coaching staff.
From the Firebirds:
Last night, after our emotional shootout game against the Oshawa Generals, I made a decision with regards to our coaching staff, which was an irresponsible mistake.
This morning, we took steps to immediately reinstate the coaches. Today, the team’s senior leadership met with the players to apologize and have a very frank discussion about next steps leading to a resolution.
Ontario Hockey League Commissioner David Branch has been in Flint this afternoon and evening meeting with all parties involved. We are fully cooperating with this OHL investigation and we will look to their leadership to help us continue to grow as a team.
The Flint Firebirds’ management remains committed to providing the best hockey experience for our players, our fans and the Flint & Genesee County community.
