Motor City Mechanics

The Motor City Mechanics were a professional ice hockey team of the United Hockey League. The Mechanics played two seasons, from 2004–2006, at Great Lakes Sports City Superior Arena in Fraser, Michigan. After being swept in the first round of the UHL playoffs, the Mechanics announced that they would suspend operations for the 2006-07 UHL season.

Motor City Mechanics
CityFraser, Michigan, United States
LeagueUHL
Founded2004
Operated2004 - 2006
Home arenaGreat Lakes Sports City Superior Arena
ColorsMarron, Black, Silver, White
                   
Franchise history
2004–2006Motor City Mechanics

After looking to relocate, the franchise was sold to a new owner who planned to keep the team in the Detroit area, with home games at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum, starting in 2008. Nothing new was heard before the league folded in 2010.

Season-by-season records
SeasonGPWLTOTLPtsGFGAPIMFinishPlayoffs
2004-05803736-78122926218723rd Central DivisionOut of playoffs
2005-067640306-8625124617683rd Central DivisionLost in Quarterfinals Wings 4-0

First season and the NHL lockout

The team got a major boost during their first year when a lockout wiped out the 2004-05 NHL season, thus leaving the Mechanics the only professional hockey team in the Detroit market. The Mechanics signed three Detroit Red Wings players: Chris Chelios, Derian Hatcher, and Kris Draper.[1][2] All three players had local ties; Hatcher had even played at the Mechanics' arena as a youth. However, due to visa problems, Kris Draper (a Canadian) never played a game for the Mechanics. Later, Motor City also signed Bryan Smolinski and Sean Avery,[3] suiting up four active NHL players, more than any other North American pro team during the lockout. Despite the signings, however, the Mechanics barely played .500 hockey and missed the playoffs.

Following a league investigation concerning the February 2, 2005 game played against the Flint Generals, UHL commissioner Richard Brosal suspended Mechanics' coach Steve Shannon for the rest of the season for offering his players $200 to "take out" Generals forward Kevin Kerr.[4]

References
  1. Associated Press (February 4, 2005). "Greek Hockey Star Copes with NHL Lockout". Fraser, Mich: The National Herald. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  2. Associated Press (February 1, 2005). "Defensemen, forward join Motor City Mechanics". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  3. Associated Press (February 12, 2005). "UHL Mechanics sign Smolinski". The Blade. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  4. Associated Press (February 22, 2005). "Mechanics coach suspended for $200 bounty". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
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