Flint Firebirds hire OHL vet as GM
George Burnett has been hired as general manager of the Flint Firebirds and Joe Stefan has been given the job as assistant GM of the Ontario Hockey League team.
The 54-year old Burnett and the 50-year old Stefan were both signed to three-year contracts.
Hockey operations of the Firebirds are currently being supervised by the OHL. Firebirds owner Rolf Nilsen is on a suspension by the league with regards to being involved in the hockey operations of his team.
“(We are) 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,” said OHL commissioner David Branch.
Burnett has an association with the OHL as a coach and GM that dates back to more than 25 years. His most-recent post was as coach-GM of the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2015-2016.
The Firebirds are expected to hire a new coach shortly.
Happy to see the Firebirds rebuilding the best way possible. George Burnett should double as the head coach and GM. This is a guy who has tons of OHL coaching experience, and the Flint Firebirds can use some guidance to overcome a drama-like first season with the controversial owner and the water crisis.