John Gruden named head coach of the Flint Firebirds

By @MichaelCaples –

The Flint Firebirds have a head coach.

The OHL franchise announced today that John Gruden will be serving as the team’s head coach when they begin play as the Firebirds next fall.

Gruden, 44, has been an assistant coach for the U.S. National Team Development Program the last four years.

A native of Virigina, Minn., Gruden was named the first-ever NCAA Division I All-American for the Ferris State Bulldogs in 1993-94. After four years in Big Rapids, he moved on to a ten-year professional career, playing in 92 NHL contests with the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. He played for the Detroit Vipers and the Grand Rapids Griffins during his professional career, as well.

Before making the jump to the junior hockey coaching ranks, Gruden served as head coach and director of player personnel for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (2010-11). He is the former head coach of the Brother Rice (2005-07) and Stoney Creek (2007-10) high school programs, as well.

Christensen named GM

While Gruden will be the new bench boss for the Firebirds, Terry Christensen will be in charge of the roster. The longtime coach in the Michigan area was most recently working in the Little Caesars AAA program, but the former Michigan State University assistant coach has worked at many levels of professional and amateur hockey.

Joe Stefan was named assistant GM, while Dave McParlan will serve as head scout. Both Stefan and McParlan were with the Plymouth Whalers organization.

“Terry, John, Joe and Dave represent hockey experience and continuity for our organization,” said Flint Firebirds president Costa Papista on the team’s official website. “Terry will lead our on-ice organization with more than three decades of elite-level hockey and recruiting experience. John is coming to Flint from the US National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, MI and has a depth of experience in International and Junior hockey.”