Flint Firebirds hire George Burnett as GM

The OHL's Flint Firebirds have signed veteran junior hockey coach and executive George Burnett to a three-year contract as the club's new general manager.

“The League is entrusting George Burnett with the hockey operations of the Flint Firebirds and we believe his experience will provide the players, parents, billets, and team staff with stability and expertise,” OHL Commissioner David Branch said in a statement Tuesday.

“Burnett will be backed by a strong team in hockey operations, including Joe Stefan who is well known to Flint Firebirds players and families.”

Stefan was appointed assistant GM and director of player development.

The OHL took control of the team's operations in February, and Branch handed owner Rolf Nilsen a five-year suspension in April after Nilsen fired the team's coaching staff twice in the same season, reportedly as part of a dispute over his son's ice time.

Burnett spent this season serving as head coach and GM of the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs after 11 years with the Belleville Bulls.

“I am excited to be joining the Flint Firebirds organization and dedicating 100 percent of my time to the management of the team,” Burnett said.

“The Flint Firebirds have a bright and promising future and I look forward to being part of the team and the Genesee County community.”

Burnett has also spent four seasons with the Oshawa Generals organization, was an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks for two seasons in the late 1990s, and served as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers for 35 games in 1994-95.

A coaching announcement is expected "imminently", according to the release from the club.