Report: OHL team goes on strike after coach is fired over owner’s son not getting playing time
Players from the OHL’s Flint Firebirds went on strike Sunday night after their coaching staff was fired.
According to a report from OHL Insiders, players began walking out following their come-from-behind win over the Oshawa Generals. Apparently Firebirds team owner Rolf Nilsen was unhappy with the amount of playing time his son, 17-year-old defenseman Hakon Nilsen, was getting. When head coach John Gruden refused to play Hakon more, the entire coaching staff was let go.
..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
So the owner fired the coaching staff because they weren’t playing his son enough, and the players — including the owner’s son — responded by walking out on the team? It sounds like the Firebirds have more to worry about than their 7-9-0-1 record.