Flint Firebirds' President of Hockey Ops Expelled From OHL

Terry Christensen, the Flint Firebirds' president of Hockey Operations, has been “expelled” from the OHL following a player complaint.

Terry Christensen, the Flint Firebirds' president of hockey operations, has been “expelled” from the OHL following a player complaint.

The incident was first reported to the league on Feb. 20 through their player communication tool.

Christensen was part of an independent investigation which resulted in his expulsion “for conduct that is prejudicial to the welfare of the League.”

The league’s statement continued by saying, “This comes as a result of remarks he made that violated the OHL Harassment & Abuse / Diversity Policy. His conduct violated the League’s expectation of the appropriate conduct of a representative of an OHL Team and he has lost the privilege to participate in the League.”

This was Christensen’s first season in the role with Flint, being hired in May of 2021. Christensen was a longtime assistant coach for the NCAA’s Michigan State, and later served as a head coach in the ECHL.

No details related to Christensen’s comments were released, although TSN’s Rick Westhead reported earlier this week that the comment was “racial” in nature.

The Ontario Hockey League is also reported to have started a second investigation this week related to comments made in a Niagara Ice Dogs team group chat by senior staff members.

Flint has had front office issues in recent seasons, with the OHL suspending the entire coaching staff and owner in 2016 after a conflict arose between coaches and ownership related to the playing time of owner Rolf Nilsen’s son. At the time the league stated 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.”

Flint currently sits fourth in the OHL’s Western Conference and has secured a playoff position for the upcoming OHL playoffs.