Flint Firebirds’ Frankie Vilardi reacts to OHL ruling

Frankie Vilardi hopes Wednesday’s announcement by Ontario Hockey League commissioner David Branch signals a new chapter for the Flint Firebirds franchise.

Branch suspended owner Rolf Nilsen for five years, fined him $250,000 and stripped the club of its third overall draft pick at this weekend’s OHL Priority Selection.

Vilardi, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound forward with the Firebirds believes Branch’s sanctions against Nilsen were justified.

“Joe Stefan, Joe Birch - all the guys that took over they all deserve it and they've all been first-class the rest of the way from February on,” Vilardi told Yahoo Sports on Thursday. “Obviously David Branch knows what he's doing. The whole team, myself included, has faith in what he's doing and what he continues to do.”

As the Firebirds prepare for this weekend’s draft, multiple agents told Yahoo Sports that they’ve informed Terry Christensen, who is overseeing the draft for Flint, not to select their clients.

Vilardi called the situation unfortunate for the franchise moving forward.

“Lets be honest, Flint doesn't have the best name around, like word on the street, but I didn't mind playing there,” he said. “It was great fans, the rink was nice (and) the room was unbelievable. The city is not nearly as bad. Even with all the water (crisis), it's not as bad as people say.

“The burden it puts on the team, (it) affects the players more than anything. No one wants to come, all this stuff - it's tough to build a winning team if no one really wants to be there. It's kind of sad for both the city and the team.”

A Kingston, Ont. native, Vilardi had nine goals and 21 points in 67 games this season with Flint. Originally a draft pick of the Sudbury Wolves, the 20-year-old was dealt to the Plymouth Whalers prior to the 2013-14 season.

This past season, Vilardi got to know 18-year-old defenceman Hakon Nilsen – the son of owner Rolf Nilsen.

“It's a tough situation not only for us, but especially for him,” Vilardi said. “He's kind of thrown in the middle of it all. He's a really good guy, great guy. He's still a friend of mine. (I can't imagine) how tough it must've been on him - getting pulled in two different directions. It's tough to imagine. Go home, and he's your father, come to the rink - it must’ve been a tough situation for him.”

Vilardi admitted former head coach John Gruden and assistant Dave Karpa were put in the toughest situation being let go twice.

“Imagine being them,” Vilardi said. “You get fired then all of a sudden the whole team sticks up for you and then you're back, the guy that fired you pulls you back only to be fired (again). It's a really weird situation.”

Despite the turmoil this season, Vilardi, who has one year of OHL eligibility remaining, says he would have no problem returning to the Firebirds organization.

“I wouldn't mind going back to Flint,” he said. “The last month there was a lot of fun, we got rolling a bit. I wouldn't mind being back in Flint for sure, if it was the right situation for both me as a player, and the team. I have nothing against Flint at all.”

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