A rollercoaster 24 hours for the Ontario Hockey League's Flint Firebirds has come full circle.
The team's coaches were fired on Sunday night, prompting the players to hand in their jerseys and walk out in solidarity.
But on Monday, head coach John Gruden and assistant coach Dave Karpa were rehired by owner Rolf Nilsen and given three-year contracts, according to TSN.
Their initial firing followed a 4-3 comeback win against defending Memorial Cup champions, the Oshawa Generals, on Sunday.
Nilsen was reportedly unhappy with the amount of playing time that his son, Firebirds defenceman Hakon Nilsen, had been receiving.
Hakon Nilsen was said to be among the 24 players who walked out on the club Sunday.
The Firebirds' owner later issued a statement apologizing for the initial firing.
"Last night, after our emotional overtime game against the Oshawa Generals, I made a decision with regards to our coaching staff which was an irresponsible mistake," said Rolf Nilsen.
"Today the team's senior leadership met with the players to apologize and had a very frank discussion about next steps we as team will take to remedy the situation."
He added that OHL commissioner David Branch was in Flint, Mich., on Monday to meet with all parties involved.
"We are fully co-operating with this investigation and will look to the findings to help us to continue to grow as a team," said Nilsen.
The Flint Firebirds are in their first OHL season in Flint after moving there from Plymouth.
Nilsen purchased the team in January, and the OHL's board of governors approved the relocation a month later.
The team is scheduled to next play the Sarnia Sting on Friday night.
With files from The Canadian Press and TSN
