Post by RemyShanx on Feb 9, 2005 14:36:45 GMT -5
www.allsports.com/cgi-bin/showstory.cgi?story_id=52805
FRASER, Michigan (Ticker) - The Motor City Mechanics' chances of escaping last place in the United Hockey League's Central Division just got considerably better.
The Mechanics on Tuesday pulled a major coup, signing defensemen Chris Chelios and Derian Hatcher and center Kris Draper, all seasoned NHL veterans and members of the Detroit Red Wings.
Frustrated with the lack of progress in the NHL labor dispute and realizing the 2004-05 season is dangerously close to being canceled, the trio elected to join Motor City, which currently resides in the basement of its division with an 11-29-6 record.
The Mechanics also made a coaching move, promoting Garry Unger to vice president and director of hockey operations and replacing him behind the bench with Steve Shannon.
"We are committed to playing competitive hockey and the addition of NHL players and the coaching change reaffirms our commitment to our fans," Mechanics president John Tull said.
An 11-time All-Star, Chelios began his career with Montreal in 1983-84 after being drafted in the second round in 1981 and helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup three seasons later. The 43-year-old, who is a three-time recipient of the Norris Trophy, also captured a championship in 2002 with Detroit, where he has spent the last 5 1/2 seasons.
Hatcher, the brother of former All-Star defenseman Kevin Hatcher, signed with the Red Wings as a free agent in July 2003 and played just 15 games due to injuries. The eighth overall pick by Dallas in 1990, the 32-year-old was captain of the Stars for eight seasons, including their championship campaign in 1998-99.
Draper, 33, enjoyed the best season of his career in 2003-04, recording career highs of 24 goals and 40 points and winning the Selke Trophy. He has won three Stanley Cup championships with the Red Wings after spending parts of three seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, who drafted him in the third round in 1989.
FRASER, Michigan (Ticker) - The Motor City Mechanics' chances of escaping last place in the United Hockey League's Central Division just got considerably better.
The Mechanics on Tuesday pulled a major coup, signing defensemen Chris Chelios and Derian Hatcher and center Kris Draper, all seasoned NHL veterans and members of the Detroit Red Wings.
Frustrated with the lack of progress in the NHL labor dispute and realizing the 2004-05 season is dangerously close to being canceled, the trio elected to join Motor City, which currently resides in the basement of its division with an 11-29-6 record.
The Mechanics also made a coaching move, promoting Garry Unger to vice president and director of hockey operations and replacing him behind the bench with Steve Shannon.
"We are committed to playing competitive hockey and the addition of NHL players and the coaching change reaffirms our commitment to our fans," Mechanics president John Tull said.
An 11-time All-Star, Chelios began his career with Montreal in 1983-84 after being drafted in the second round in 1981 and helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup three seasons later. The 43-year-old, who is a three-time recipient of the Norris Trophy, also captured a championship in 2002 with Detroit, where he has spent the last 5 1/2 seasons.
Hatcher, the brother of former All-Star defenseman Kevin Hatcher, signed with the Red Wings as a free agent in July 2003 and played just 15 games due to injuries. The eighth overall pick by Dallas in 1990, the 32-year-old was captain of the Stars for eight seasons, including their championship campaign in 1998-99.
Draper, 33, enjoyed the best season of his career in 2003-04, recording career highs of 24 goals and 40 points and winning the Selke Trophy. He has won three Stanley Cup championships with the Red Wings after spending parts of three seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, who drafted him in the third round in 1989.