MOTOR CITY MECHANICS

The 'Motor City Mechanics' are a professional ice hockey team, currently an inactive member of the United Hockey League. The Mechanics played their first 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.
After looking to relocate, the franchise was sold to a new owner who plans keep the team in the Detroit area, with home games at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum. It was recently announced that the Mechanics will not rejoin the UHL for the 2007-08 season, but the door remains open for 2008-09.

Contents

Facts

Season-by-season records

First season and the NHL lockout

The Assembly Line

Trivia

Facts

:'Founded:' 2004
:'Arena:' Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum (capacity 5,600)
:'Uniform colours:' maroon, black & white
:'Logo design:' A puck with the initials MC and a wrench
:'Division titles won:' 0
:'League championships won:' 0

Season-by-season records

'Season'	'GP'	'W'	'L'	'T'	'OTL'	'Pts'	'GF'	'GA'	'PIM'	'Finish'	'Playoffs'
2004-05	80	37	36	-	7	81	229	262	1872	3rd Central Division	Out of playoffs
2005-06	76	40	30	6	-	86	251	246	1768	3rd Central Division	Lost 1st round

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. The Mechanics signed three Detroit Red Wings players: Chris Chelios, Derian Hatcher, and Kris Draper. All three players had local ties, and Hatcher had played at the Mechanics' arena as a youth player. However, due to visa problems, Kris Draper never played a game for the Mechanics. Later, Motor City also signed Bryan Smolinski and Sean Avery, suiting up four active NHL players, more than any other pro team during the lockout. Despite the signings, however, the Mechanics barely played .500 hockey and missed the playoffs.

The Assembly Line

Echoing the famous Red Wings' Production Line of a half-century earlier, the Mechanics sponsored a contest to name its top scoring line of Adam Edinger, Peter Szabo and Brent Gretzky. On March 3, 2006, “The Assembly Line” was announced as the winner on the Mechanics' web site, beating out three other finalists: “Pit Crew,” “Engine Line” and “Motor City Drive Train.” The winning name was submitted by David Bolam.

Trivia

★ On an episode of Scrubs, Dr. Cox (played by John C. McGinley) is seen wearing a Motor City Mechanics sweater, with Chris Chelios' name on the back.