OHL suspends Flint Firebirds owner Rolf Nilsen
The Ontario Hockey League suspended Flint Firebirds owner Rolf Nilsen, as well as his management and coaching appointees, until further notice following his second dismissal of head coach John Gruden and assistant coach Dave Karpa.
New statement from #OHL Commissioner David Branch - Immediate Sanctions for Flint Firebirds: https://t.co/65zy3qtxjQ pic.twitter.com/whfIqOocja
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) February 18, 2016
Nilsen fired Gruden and Karpa for the second time this season Wednesday night.
Firebirds' leading scorer Will Bitten's father, Michael, told The Hockey News' Ken Campbell on Wednesday there was "no way" his son would play for the team next season if Nilsen was still in control.
Related: Flint Firebirds' star's father: 'They have to take this team away from' owner Nilsen
Gruden and Karpa were let go in November amid reports that Nilsen was unhappy his son, Hakon, a Firebirds defenseman, wasn't getting enough ice time.
The players staged a walkout after the initial firing, leading the OHL to step in and reinstate the pair with three-year contract extensions.
The Firebirds held an optional skate Thursday, and Nilsen's son was the only player who attended, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.
Team called morning skate "optional," but originally scheduled for full skate and media availability following it. Didn't happen.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 18, 2016
Considering the league will continue to investigate, this saga is far from over.