Flint Firebirds make first OHL playoff appearance since move from Plymouth
As soon as Ryan Oulahen was hired as head coach of the Flint Firebirds last spring, he started phoning his players. He called captain Alex Peters first and then reached out to every other player, even meeting some in person, well before training camp began.
Communication is central to Oulahen’s coaching philosophy and has been essential in healing a locker-room rocked last season over the actions of the Firebirds owner.
“We started talking to these guys right from Day 1, trying to get a feel, letting them know of our plan and how we were going to approach things,” Oulahen said in a recent interview. “Especially with the leadership group, that was the biggest thing for me.
“(Peters) was the captain of this group last year. It was a no-brainer to make him my first phone call. I think he appreciated that as well.”