Minutes after helping lead the Flint Firebirds to a shootout victory over the defending CHL Memorial Cup champion Oshawa Generals on Sunday night, Firebirds forward Will Bitten and his 23 other teammates reportedly stormed into Flint owner Rolf Nilsen's box and, tossing their jerseys on the ground in anger, signaled their intent to quit the team, before walking out.
As first reported by OHLInsider, the shocking incident allegedly stems from Nilsen's sudden decision to fire the entire Firebirds coaching staff after the game. Per the report, Nilsen fired head coach John Gruden and assistant coach Dave Karpa because the owner's son, Hakon, was not receiving enough playing time.
Gruden and Karpa stood their ground when questioned by Nilsen after the Firebirds' come-from-behind victory over the Generals on Sunday night, while Flint players skated with jubilant fans after the win, and were promptly relieved of their duties.
When Bitten and the Firebirds players learned of Gruden and Karpa's firing - and possibly the reasoning behind it - they stormed Nilsen's office, handed in their jerseys and left.
Interestingly, ESPN's John Buccigross reported late Sunday that the show of solidarity from the Flint players was so strong, that even Hakon, Nilsen's son, quit as well.
OHL Insiders tweeted early Monday that Hakon is to be traded to another team. OHL commissioner David Branch is also now expected to hold a noon meeting with Rolf Nilson, as well as the entire Flint coaching staff and roster, ostensibly to mend fences.
If Hakon is indeed traded, that would likely lessen much of the tension surrounding the team. Though, as OHLInsider notes, Flint GM Terry Christensen is expected to remain with the franchise no matter the outcome of today's meeting and has seemingly been gunning for the Firebirds' head coaching gig almost from the beginning.
