Firebirds Announce Alternate Captains for 2026-27
FLINT – The Flint Firebirds on Tuesday announced the alternate captains of their leadership group for the 2026-27 season. Darian Anderson, Rylan Fellinger and Dryden Allen will be the alternate captains for Flint with Jimmy Lombardi as team captain.
“Darian is a quiet leader who leads by example,” Firebirds Head Coach Paul Flache said. “He walked into our dressing room last season barely knowing anyone with no guarantees and ended up being a huge contributor to the success we had. Darian is also a great teammate and even better person, which makes him an easy choice to be a part of our leadership group.”
“Being named an alternate captain is a huge honor,” Anderson said. “I want to do my best at leading by example through my dedication and work ethic. I’m so grateful to the coaching staff for recognizing me as an alternate captain.”
Anderson is in his second year with the Firebirds and has scored a goal in all three games to open this season. Flint originally drafted him in the fifth round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, but didn’t sign until Oct. 10, 2025. After joining the team early last season, Anderson totaled 20 goals and 25 assists in 60 games. The Brighton, Michigan native was selected 163rd overall in the sixth round of the NHL Draft by the New York Rangers this summer.
Fellinger has been a mainstay on the Flint blueline the past four seasons. The Firebirds picked Fellinger in the 13th round, 255th overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. Fellinger has played in 58 or more games in all three seasons he has been in Flint and has recorded six goals and 23 assists in 190 career OHL games. In the summer of 2025, Fellinger was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round, 186th overall, at the NHL Draft.
“It’s been a privilege to watch Rylan grow into one of the premier defenders in the league,” Flache said. “His work ethic on and off the ice is contagious, and he’s a fierce competitor. More importantly, He is a terrific person, which makes it an easy decision for him to be a leader for our team and a mentor for the younger players as well.”
“I’m incredibly honored to be named an alternate captain,” Fellinger said. “It’s a big responsibility, and I’m excited to help lead this group both on and off the ice. We have a great group of guys, and I’m looking forward to doing whatever I can to help the team be successful.”
Allen is in his second season with the Firebirds, but has yet to appear in a game this year as he recovers from an offseason injury. Last year, he put up three goals and 21 assists and was the only Flint player to play in all 68 regular season games. The Firebirds drafted Allen in the second round, 32nd overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. He is currently committed to play NCAA Hockey at Michigan State University and attended the Pittsburgh Penguins Development Camp over the summer.
“It’s an honor to be named captain and for the coaching staff to put this trust in me,” Allen said. “We have a great group of guys in the locker room, and the group that was chosen is a great group to lead this team. I’m really excited to keep coming to the rink every day and help everyone get better.”
“Dryden was a great influence on the ice last season but also this year while recovering from an injury,” Flache said. “His involvement with the community and positive attitude around the players is a big asset for us. We look forward to getting Dryden back on the ice playing again and being an impact player for us.”
Flint will be back on the ice on Saturday, Oct. 3 as the Firebirds host the Soo Greyhounds. It’s Dort Financial Family Night, and all Dort Financial Credit Union members are eligible to receive up to four free silver level tickets by showing proof of membership at the Dort Financial Center box office. Saturday’s puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Photo: Natalie Shaver, OHL Images
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