Over the last 24 hours, the Ontario Hockey League’s Flint Firebirds have fired and then rehired the team’s coaching staff.
Firebirds head coach John Gruden and assistant coach Dave Karpa were fired following an overtime win at home over the Oshawa Generals on Sunday. They were rehired and given new contracts Monday afternoon after the players reportedly walked out, according to multiple media reports.
Gruden was apparently dismissed by the team’s owner Rolf Nilsen who was upset with the lack of ice time his 17-year-old son, Hakon Nilsen, a rookie defenceman was receiving.
ESPN’s John Buccigross said via Twitter that an unnamed source said all 24 players headed to the team’s front office and threw their jerseys on the ground before quitting.
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The move to bring the coaches back onboard came soon after a meeting between OHL commissioner David Branch and Rolf Nilsen.
The Firebirds are in their first OHL season in Flint, having been granted a team following the purchase and relocation of the Michigan-based Plymouth Whalers.
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