OHL - Flint Firebirds Team Quits

[Josh]

So apparently the Flint Firebirds of the OHL were down 3-1 in a game, eventually came back to win 4-3 in OT, and the entire coaching staff was fired after the game. The players all went to management, threw down their jerseys, and quit the team - including the owner's son:

http://www.tsn.ca/mondaymustread-fli...fired-1.390508

[matchesmalone]

This is insane. Would have been really bad for the players if many of them were drafted by NHL teams or were draft-eligible this year, but looks like there is very little in the way of NHL-drafted players. The glaring exception is goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, a second round pick by Carolina, who is looked at by many as the eventual successor to Cam Ward as a potential franchise goalie.

[Josh]

This is insane. Would have been really bad for the players if many of them were drafted by NHL teams or were draft-eligible this year, but looks like there is very little in the way of NHL-drafted players. The glaring exception is goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, a second round pick by Carolina, who is looked at by many as the eventual successor to Cam Ward as a potential franchise goalie.

What do you think the implications of this will be? Something has to give..

[Josh]

Here's a very interesting article on how the situation developed: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/junio...rm-came-about/

[...]At the centre of this is the pressure on Gruden to play defenceman Hakon Nilsen, who just happens to be the son of Firebirds owner Rolf Nilsen.
According to principals, including NHL scouts and agents with clients on the team, the players knew that there was a storm gathering before last night’s game. With the exception of Hakon Nilsen, they met with Gruden and his staff and the coach laid out there were going to be some switches in the lineup and that he couldn’t sugar-coat the reason for the move. Said one agent: “[Hakon Nilsen] is a borderline OHL player… a seventh D. Last night he played 17 minutes, including power-play minutes.”
[...]

[Josh]

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli 33m33 minutes ago #Flint coaches re-hired. Bizarre 24 hours in the #OHL, after players sent a message which couldn't be ignored: http://www.tsn.ca/mondaymustread-flint-players-walk-out-after-coaching-staff-fired-1.390508 … #TSN

[Josh]

Owner apologizes, reinstates coaching staff. Statement here: http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/a...lint-firebirds