Report: Flint Firebirds coaching staff fired immediately after comeback win
FLINT, MICH -- News has surfaced that there has been some dramatic events from OHL's Flint Firebirds players, coaches, and front office tonight:
..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 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 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 Last RTs: unreal situation in OHL's Flint franchise. Owner supposedly fired the whole coaching staff after their game today, presumably...
— CJ Jiuliante (@stoosh10) November 9, 2015 ...in part b/c owner was unhappy with how much ice time his son was getting. Entire team - his son included - quit after coaches were fired.
— CJ Jiuliante (@stoosh10) November 9, 2015 Comment from a #Firebirds player: "The whole team went up to the managments office and said f*** this" #OHL
— OHLInsiders (@OHLinsiders) November 9, 2015 Typically, we don't write on such events, but given that it is a Michigan team, and we have a prospect playing for the Firebirds, this is sort of a big deal. Judging by the tweets posted above, the owner of the Flint Firebirds have fired the ENTIRE coaching staff due his son's ice time. In response to that, the team quit, including the owner's son
UPDATE:
One of my sources is confirming the reports out of Flint: Players walk out en mass after Firebirds fire coaching staff. #OHL
— Sunaya Sapurji (@sunayas) November 9, 2015 It appears that the reports are true.
As we all know, 2015 3rd-rounder Vili Saarijarvi plays for Flint, so I have to imagine he was a part of this "strike" if you want to call it that. Very strange news, over curious reasons. If the story holds up, you have to think that the Red Wings front office should be making a call to Flint immediately. Saarijarvi is a high-profile prospect, who needs to be looked out for in terms of development. This is a messy situation for him to be in.
This story is developing.