The following press release comes from the Ontario Hockey League.
OHL Appoints Joe Stefan and Pat Peake to Coach Flint Firebirds
Toronto, ON –beginning with tonight’s game against the Erie Otters at Flint’s Dort Federal Event Center.
“The Ontario Hockey League appreciates the support from Joe Stefan, and distinguished OHL alumnus Pat Peake during this challenging period,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch. “The league has also appointed Joe Birch, OHL Senior Director of Hockey Development, to support the players behind the bench tonight.”
Stefan, who presently serves as the Firebirds’ Assistant General Manager, began his OHL coaching career with the Plymouth Whalers as an assistant in 2007 after joining the club’s staff as a scout in 2005. He worked seven seasons behind the Whalers’ bench also holding the title of associate coach. As a player, Stefan competed for the OHL’s Brantford Alexanders and the Hamilton Steelhawks from 1983-86 before a minor pro career that included four seasons in the IHL and more than 10 seasons in the British National League.
Peake, a native of Rochester, Michigan, had an illustrious three-year OHL career that began with the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors in 1990-91. He holds the Whalers’ all-time record with 319 points including 138 goals and 181 assists in 162 games earning the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year for the 1992-93 season with the Detroit Jr. Red Wings. He was selected 14th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft and played parts of four seasons before retiring due to injury in 1998. He currently coaches in the Detroit Little Caesars youth program.
Birch returned to the OHL as the league’s Senior Director of Hockey Development and Special Events in the 2012-13 season. He previously spent six years as the OHL’s Director of Recruitment and Education Services before joining Newport Sports Management Inc in October, 2011.
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A statement released earlier in the day stated the following.
Statement from OHL Commissioner David Branch
Toronto – The Ontario Hockey League takes the health and well being of our players very seriously. The recent actions by the owner of the Flint Firebirds Rolf Nilsen and his representatives on the management team and coaching staff is of great concern as they pose a serious threat to our commitment to our players and their families.
The league announces the following sanctions effective immediately:
- Mr Nilsen and his appointees on the management and coaching staff including Sergei Kharin are suspended from Flint Firebirds’ hockey operations until further notice;
- The Flint Firebirds at their cost, under the direction of the League, shall provide counselling services for players;
- Rolf Nilsen and representatives of the Flint Firebirds shall co-operate with the Commissioner and the League in investigations into the conduct and actions of the Flint Firebirds and its representatives, employees, officers and directors;
In addition, the League will continue to investigate the actions of Rolf Nilsen and other representatives of the Flint Firebirds and will take any action and impose any sanctions that are deemed appropriate by the Commissioner.
Later today, the League will be meeting with the players in Flint to further discuss the situation, and to ensure that they are provided the appropriate supports. These discussions and supports will be ongoing for the players and their families.
Main Photo Terry Wilson, OHL Images.
