Wellwood Named Firebirds Head Coach

Kristylee Varley

am800-sports-eric-wellwood-getty-1.8507715 PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 18: Eric Wellwood #47 of the Philadelphia Flyers takes the shot against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 18, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Flyers 10-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) (Bruce Bennett/Eric Wellwood of the Philadelphia Flyers takes the shot against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 18, 2012. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images))

Eric Wellwood will join the Firebirds once all the necessary immigration requirements have been approved

The Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League have named a new head coach — it's former Windsor Spitfire and Woodslee native, Eric Wellwood

Wellwood heads to Flint with a winning background including three Memorial Cup Championships, twice as a player with the Windsor Spitfires (2009 & 2010) and once as a coach with the Oshawa Generals (2015).

Before sustaining a career-ending injury, Wellwood also recorded five goals and five assists in in 31 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2010-13.

"We could not be happier to welcome Eric Wellwood back to the Firebirds," said Flint Firebirds Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Barclay Branch. "Eric will bring a very strong pedigree to Flint, having won championships both as a player and a coach. He is a teacher and student of the game."

Wellwood will join the Firebirds once all the necessary immigration requirements have been approved.

It was announced Oct 12th that Ryan Oulahen was stepping down — effective immediately — for personal and family reasons.