Gotta say that after the brawl it's glad to see three Detroit stars take to the ice for less then $1000 a week.
Draper, Chelios, Hatcher Join Roster During NHL Lockout
DETROIT -- Three Detroit Red Wings tried on jerseys for the Motor City Mechanics while their names were announced as new members of the United Hockey League team, while the National Hockey League lockout continues.
Center Kris Draper, and defensemen Chris Chelios and Sterling Heights native Derian Hatcher, will join the roster of the Mechanics, the team announced Tuesday morning to cheering fans at Fraser's Great Lakes Sports City, where the team plays its home games.
A representative for the Mechanics said the move will make the team more competitive and exciting.
Draper said during a Mechanics Webcast interview that he is excited to play, along with Chelios, Hatcher, and their new teammates.
"The three of us will go out and lead by example," said Draper about his fellow Red Wings.
Draper said he wished he was playing with the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, "but that's just not the case right now."
"Basically, we're here to win," said Draper about the move to Fraser.
When Local 4 asked Draper about negotiating a deal with the team he said Hatcher took care of it, "but I haven't seen it yet."
Players in the UHL earn an average of $500 per week, Local 4 reported.
Draper said, "We're playing for the love of the game. And that's no joke."
Mechanics director of public relations, Lauren Segall, said Monday night that Red Wing players would sign to play "more than one game" for the first-year expansion team.
The team also announced Steve Shannon, of Sterling Heights, as the new head coach in Tuesday's news conference.
Draper said before the announcement that he would join them if he could arrange insurance.
"The opportunity to play some games, get some competition, just to change things up because skating is getting monotonous."
The UHL is a Single-A league, two below the American Hockey League and three steps under the NHL.
Kirk Maltby, Draper's Detroit linemate, said he also would consider playing with Motor City.
"I haven't talked to anybody about playing for the Mechanics. I might consider it because it's local," Maltby said. "I had considered playing with my brother in England but have decided I'm not leaving the country. Maybe (the Mechanics) wouldn't be a bad option."
Labor talks between the NHL and the player's association broke down again Thursday night, leaving the sides still far apart and with no plans to meet again.
Copyright 2005 by ClickOnDetroit.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.