Coaching change in Flint
Citing personal reasons, Ryan Oulahen has stepped aside as head coach of the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
Flint has a record of 0-7-0 and is the only win-less team in the OHL. The Firebirds are home to the North Bay Battalion tonight.
Firebirds goalie coach Greg Stefan will take over as interim head coach in Flint with Darcy Findlay staying on as associate coach and Garrett Rutledge as assistant coach. The 57-year old Stefan is a former National Hockey League goalie of 300 games with the Detroit Red Wings who later became a goalie coach for the Carolina Hurricanes.
The 33-year Oulahen was in his third season as the bench boss in Flint after five years as an assistant in the OHL with the Brampton and North Bay Battalion.
Under the direction of Oulahen, the Firebirds had a record of 32-28-8 in 2016-2017, finishing in seventh place in the tough Western Conference of the OHL before losing to the Soo Greyhounds in the first round of the playoffs.
Flint then finished last in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs in 2017-2018 with a record of 20-43-5.
Firebirds general manager Barclay Branch told Hockey News North that he has started the search for a new full-time head coach.
PHOTO: Ryan Oulahen, former coach of the Flint Firebirds.
Thank you Ryan Oulahen for your outstanding service to the Flint Firebirds and to our community. Facts 2 years ago the Flint Firebirds made the playoffs. The excitement for the playoffs was off the charts even if it was a short run. Bad luck… we drafted outstanding prospect and Arizona Coyotes draft pick Jan Jenik and he was returned to play in the Czech Republic. Injuries like in all sports staying healthy is a key to success. Dennis Busby is one of the best defensive prospects in the OHL. Unfortunately he has only been able to play a handful of games the past couple years and even thou he didn’t play last year his talent got him drafted by the Arizona Coyotes. He was impossible to replace. Riley McCourt will also be a huge addition on the D line once he gets healthy. We also picked up a potentially top defensive prospects in the OHL for the 2019 NHL draft Vladislav Kolyachonok. The say his has Visa issues sometimes that’s short for he’s not coming so we will see. Goaltending we have one of the brightest young goaltenders in Luke Cavallin but he is young. Hopefully as the year plays out he can groom into that top spot. I still feel this team has a very bright future maybe even this year. Closing prayers to Coach Oulahen and his family that they continue to prosper. Flint Firebird fans don’t quit on this team. This team when it is complete will be very competitive this year in the OHL. Let’s go Firebirds! 🔥