Gruden, an OHL coach, comes with integrity and the ability to handle tough situations

Back in 2015, John Gruden was the head coach of the Flint Firebirds. Until he was fired by the owner right after a shootout victory against the defending CHL Memorial Cup champion Oshawa Generals.

The reason? Reportedly for not playing the owner's son enough.

The coach and the entire OHL were shocked. The OHL soon suspended the owner.

“The hockey world is very small and I don’t need to sit here and throw anybody under the bus or point fingers. I’m a solutions guy. My message to the kids is to keep working and finish the season strong."
– John Gruden

He was re-hired less than 24 hours later and given a 3-year deal thanks to the entire team quitting in response to the move.

..Coaches fired immediately after game. Entire team, all 24 Guys storm upstairs to front office, throw jersey on ground, quit and walk out

— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) November 9, 2015

Another source: "such a show of solidarity when the boys bonded together and walked out. Even his (owner's) son quit." #Flint

— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) November 9, 2015

Unfortunately, Gruden was fired again in 2016.

The OHL had enough and suspended the Flint Firebirds owner for 5 years and took over the entire team. Gruden landed with the Hamilton Bulldogs, hired by Bulldog General Manager, Steve Staios.

When hired, Staios cited Gruden's ability to handle the Flint Firebird situation as one of the reasons he got the job.

Staios was onto something. Since then Gruden has led the Bulldogs to above .500 in his first year, and then to an OHL best record in the Eastern Conference with a 43-18-4-3 record just last year.

Coaching Record (sourced from HockeyDB.com):



In the meantime, GM Lou Lamoriello has been busy. After re-signing Kyle Burroughs and Devon Toews (one way deal), he re-signed key young defenseman Ryan Pulock to a 2-year deal that leaves him likely getting paid big bucks in two years, BUT still an RFA.

With the #Islanders signing RFA Ryan Pulock to a 2 year/$2M AAV contract, we now show the club with roughly $14.8M in projected cap space, and based on a tentative roster of 22 players (14F/6D/2G).

1 RFA remains unsigned:
F Brock Nelsonhttps://t.co/Kv73KcV1JG pic.twitter.com/b8agI2GUc6

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 17, 2018

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