Wikipedia

Flint Firebirds

TheFlint Firebirdsare a majorjunior ice hockeyteam based inFlint, Michigan.The team plays home games at theDort Financial Center,and operates as a member of theOntario Hockey League(OHL). The team began play for the2015–16 season.In September 2022, the Firebirds announced theLeamington Flyersas an affiliate.[1]

Flint Firebirds
CityFlint, Michigan
LeagueOntario Hockey League
ConferenceWestern
DivisionWest
Founded1990(1990)
Operated2015–present
Home arenaDort Financial Center
ColorsNavy Blue, White, Orange and Silver
Owner(s)Rolf Nilsen
General managerDave McParlan
Head coachPaul Flache
AffiliateLeamington Flyers (OJHL)
Websiteflintfirebirds
Franchise history
1990–1992Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
1992–1995Detroit Junior Red Wings
1995–1997Detroit Whalers
1997–2015Plymouth Whalers
2015–presentFlint Firebirds
Current uniform

History

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The Firebirds trace their roots back to the 1990–91 season, when theDetroit Compuware Ambassadorswere added as an expansion team in the OHL. Since then, the franchise has been theDetroit Junior Red Wings,theDetroit Whalersand thePlymouth Whalers.On January 14, 2015, it was announced that longtime Whalers ownerPeter Karmanoshad sold the team to IMS USA, Inc., with the intention to move the franchise to Flint and the Perani Arena.[2][3]The purchase and relocation was approved by the OHL on February 2, 2015.[4][5]

Although there was sentiment towards resurrecting theFlint Generalsnickname that had been used by two past teams in the city, the OHL quickly nixed that idea because of theOshawa Generalsusing that name.[6]Likewise, a popular suggestion was theFlint Tropics,after the fictionalAmerican Basketball Associationteam of that name in the 2008 movieSemi-Pro.[7]However, after various others voiced their displeasure at their team possibly being named after a comedy movie's protagonist team, and the chance of the novelty wearing off after a while, the name did not make the list of finalist choices.[8][9][10]

The nine finalist nicknames were Firebirds, Force, Fury, Nationals, Pride, Spark Plugs, Sparks, United, and Vikings.[11]

Coaching controversies

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The Firebirds garnered international attention in November 2015 when, following an overtime victory over theOshawa Generals,owner Rolf Nilsen fired the team's entire coaching staff for failing to adequately increase the playing time of his son, Håkon Nilsen, a Firebirds' defenseman described by one NHL player agent as "a borderline OHL player".[12]Prior to the game against Oshawa, the entire team with the exception of Hakon Nilsen met with head coachJohn Grudenand his staff and were informed that the owner had insisted that his son receive more playing time, and indeed Nilsen ultimately played 17 minutes, including power-play time, in the subsequent game.[12]However, head coach John Gruden has denied that this was the reason for his dismissal.[13]In response to the firings, the entire team, including Håkon Nilsen, stormed into the team's front office, threw their jerseys on the floor, and quit the team in a show of solidarity with the coaching staff.[14]

The player revolt proved to be successful, as less than 24 hours later the coaching staff was not only rehired, but given three-year contract extensions.[15]Following a meeting with OHL commissionerDavid Branch,Firebirds' owner Rolf Nilsen stated publicly that he had made an "irresponsible mistake" and apologized to the players.[16]

On February 17, 2016, Rolf Nilsen again fired head coach John Gruden and assistant coachDave Karpa.[17]The next day, OHL Commissioner David Branch suspended Nilsen, as well as his appointees on the management and coaching staff, from hockey operations until further notice. The league also ordered counseling be provided to players, at Nilsen's cost. Nilsen and his staff were then ordered to cooperate with a league investigation and comply with its findings.[18][19]On April 6, 2016, the OHL suspended Nilsen for five years, with no requests for reinstatement to be entertained for three years. He was also fined $250,000. The league also stripped the Firebirds of their 2016 first-round draft pick. Had Nilsen attempted to get involved in hockey operations while suspended, the OHL could have forced him to sell the Firebirds. The OHL placed the Firebirds under leaguestewardshipand appointed Joe Birch as director of operations.[20]After the five-year suspension passed, the OHL reinstated Rolf Nilsen in April 2021.[21]

Recent history

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The Flint Firebirds Locker Room

In May 2016, the OHL namedGeorge Burnett,former head coach and general manager of theBelleville Bulls,as the new general manager. The OHL then appointedRyan Oulahenas head coach andEric Wellwoodas an assistant.[22]On October 12, 2018, Ryan Oulahen stepped down as head coach.[23]On October 18, former associate coach Eric Wellwood was named head coach.[24]

On February 21, 2020, the Firebirds won their 15th consecutive game, setting a new franchise record. It was their 37th win of the season, another club record.[25]

On March 10, 2022, the OHL expelled team president Terry Christensen after an investigation found that he violated OHL policy for harassment, abuse, and diversity.[26]

Head coaches

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List of coaches with multiple seasons in parentheses.

General managers

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List of general managers with multiple seasons in parentheses.

  • 2015–2016– Terry Christensen
  • 2016–2017–George Burnett
  • 2017–2021– Barclay Branch (4)
  • 2021–2022– Terry Christensen
  • 2022–2023–Ted Dent
  • 2023–present– Dave McParlan

Players

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Team captains

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List of team captains:[citation needed]

  • 2015–2017:Alex Peters
  • 2017–2018:Ryan Moore / Jalen Smereck
  • 2018–2020:Ty Dellandrea
  • 2021–2022:Brennan Othmann
  • 2023-2024Zacharie Giroux / Coulson Pitre

NHL alumni

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List of Firebirds alumni who played in theNational Hockey League(NHL):[citation needed]

Season-by-season results

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Season-by-season results for the regular season and playoffs:[citation needed]

Regular season

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Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SOL = Shootout loss

Season Games Won Lost OTL SOL Points Pct % Goals
For		 Goals
Against		 Standing
2015–16 68 20 42 4 2 46 .338 184 279 5th West
2016–17 68 32 28 3 5 72 .529 229 242 3rd West
2017–18 68 20 43 3 2 45 .331 194 316 5th West
2018–19 68 16 46 6 0 38 .279 212 350 5th West
2019–20 63 40 21 1 1 82 .651 274 243 2nd West
2020–21 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Season cancelled
2021–22 68 42 21 1 4 89 .654 286 238 2nd West
2022–23 68 35 28 4 1 75 .551 291 278 4th West
2023–24 68 30 33 4 1 65 .478 232 274 3rd West

Playoffs

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  • 2015–16:Out of playoffs
  • 2016–17:Lost to Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals
  • 2017–18:Out of playoffs
  • 2018–19:Out of playoffs
  • 2019–20:Playoffs cancelled
  • 2020–21:Season cancelled
  • 2021–22:Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
    Defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
    Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 3 in conference finals.
  • 2022–23:Lost to Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2023–24:Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.

Radio and television

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Brian Gardner is the play-by-play voice of the Firebirds.[27]On radio, games are broadcast live onWQUS(103.1 FM).[28]Telecasts are streamed online via CHL TV in the U.S. and Canada and aired onRogers CableandCogecovia the OHL Action Pak in Canada.[29]

References

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  1. ^"Firebirds announce affiliation with Leamington Flyers".
  2. ^McMann, Aaron (January 14, 2015)."Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers moving to Flint in 2015-16 season".MLive.The Flint Journal.RetrievedMarch 16,2015.
  3. ^"Whalers announce relocation plans".Ontario Hockey League.January 14, 2015.RetrievedMarch 16,2015.
  4. ^McMann, Aaron (February 2, 2015)."It's official: Ontario Hockey League approves Plymouth Whalers' move to Flint".MLive.The Flint Journal.RetrievedMarch 16,2015.
  5. ^"OHL Board of Governors Approve Transfer of Ownership and Relocation to Flint".Ontario Hockey League.February 2, 2015.RetrievedMarch 16,2015.
  6. ^McMann, Aaron (January 21, 2015)."Hoping for a return of the Flint Generals name? OHL commissioner says it's not happening".MLive.The Flint Journal.RetrievedMarch 16,2015.
  7. ^McMann, Aaron (March 2, 2015)."Name expected soon for Flint's OHL team; you still like 'Flint Tropics'".MLive.The Flint Journal.RetrievedMarch 16,2015.
  8. ^Heller, Andrew (February 11, 2015)."Come Heller high water: Please don't call the hockey team the Flint Tropics".MLive.The Flint Journal.RetrievedMarch 16,2015.
  9. ^McMann, Aaron (February 13, 2015)."Anti-'Tropics' crowd growing as naming contest for Flint's new OHL team ends".MLive.The Flint Journal.RetrievedMarch 16,2015.
  10. ^Everybody panic! Flint Tropics to take to the ice
  11. ^TSN.ca Staff (November 8, 2015)."Poll: Which of the 10 registered names do you like best for Flint's new OHL team?".TSN.ca.The Sports Network.RetrievedNovember 8,2015.
  12. ^abHow Flint Firebirds firestorm came abouthttp:// sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/how-flint-firebirds-firestorm-came-about/
  13. ^"Seidel: Firebirds players risk it all to save coaches".Detroit Free Press.Retrieved2015-11-13.
  14. ^TSN.ca Staff (November 8, 2015)."Report: Firebirds fire coaches, players walk out".TSN.ca.TSN.RetrievedNovember 8,2015.
  15. ^Frank Seravalli (November 9, 2015)."#MondayMustRead: Flint Firebirds re-hire coaches after player protest".TSN.ca.TSN.RetrievedNovember 9,2015.
  16. ^Flint Firebirds coaches reinstated, owner admits he made 'irresponsible mistake'http:// winnipegfreepress /sports/branch-to-meet-with-firebirds-brass-after-reported-firings-and-team-revolt-343758692.html
  17. ^Sipple, George (February 17, 2016)."Flint Firebirds fire coaches for second time this season".Detroit Free Press.RetrievedFebruary 17,2016.
  18. ^Sipple, George; Jahnke, James (February 18, 2016)."Flint Firebirds owner suspended; OHL investigating".Detroit Free Press.RetrievedFebruary 18,2016.
  19. ^"OHL suspends Flint owner, appoints interim coaches".The Detroit News.February 18, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 18,2016.
  20. ^Sipple, George (April 6, 2016)."Flint Firebirds' owner suspended 5 years, team now under OHL control".Detroit Free Press.RetrievedApril 6,2016.
  21. ^"OHL expels Flint president of hockey operations Terry Christensen for conduct 'prejudicial to the welfare of the league'".The Athletic.March 20, 2022.RetrievedOctober 28,2024– viaThe New York Times.
  22. ^"Flint Firebirds Name Coaching Staff".OurSports Central. May 20, 2016.
  23. ^"Ryan Oulahen Steps Down as Flint Firebirds Head Coach".Ontario Hockey League.October 12, 2018.RetrievedOctober 12,2018.
  24. ^"Eric Wellwood appointed Flint Firebirds Head Coach".Ontario Hockey League.October 18, 2018.RetrievedOctober 18,2018.
  25. ^Flint Firebirds continue to set team records with 15th consecutive victoryThe Flint Journalvia MLive, February 22, 2020
  26. ^Sweetland, Josh (March 10, 2022)."OHL Announces Findings of Investigation Concerning Flint Firebirds' President of Hockey Operations Terry Christensen".Ontario Hockey League.RetrievedOctober 28,2024.
  27. ^Flint Firebirds hire Brian Gardner as Director of Communications and Play-by-Play AnnouncerBVM Sports, September 15, 2023
  28. ^Firebirds Hockey, Townsquare Media Announce Multi-Year Radio Broadcast PartnershipMLive, February August 21, 2017
  29. ^OHL UNVEILS 2021-22 REGIONAL TELEVISION BROADCAST SCHEDULE DETAILSOHL Writers,September 21, 2021
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