Flint Firebirds owner Rolf Nilsen was suspended for five years by the Ontario Hockey League on Wednesday, putting the team under the direction of league commissioner David Branch.
Nilsen was investigated at the league’s request by Terrence O’Sullivan of the law firm of Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP, after the Firebirds owner twice fired the team’s head coach over the protests of the players.
In addition to the five-year suspension, the Firebirds will forfeit a first round draft pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection (third overall) and Nilsen has been fined $250,000 by the OHL.
If Nilsen violates the league’s order he may be forced to sell the Firebirds.