NAHL Warriors staying in Flint - Junior Hockey News

Published: Monday, 12 Mar 2012

By: Randy Russon

Michigan Warriors are staying put.

The second-year North American Hockey League franchise will be returning to Flint and the Perani Arena and Event Center for the 2012-13 season and beyond, multiple sources have confirmed to me.

The Warriors had filed for dormancy with the NAHL last month while it pursued a new lease agreement with Perani, which is operated by Firland Management of Maine on behalf of StanCorp Investments of Oregon.

With the Warriors, Firland and StanCorp having recently settled on a new operating management agreement, the NAHL team applied to the league for re-activation last week.

Sources have since confirmed that NAHL governors approved the re-activation this afternoon.

The Warriors are owned by Pat McEachern and coached and managed by Moe Mantha.

The 51-year old Mantha is a coaching veteran of the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, U.S. National Team Development Program and the Ontario Hockey League.

A well-respected individual, Mantha played in close to 700 National Hockey League games as a skilled defenceman with the Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota North Stars and Philadelphia Flyers. He was originally drafted by Winnipeg in the first round from the erstwhile Toronto Marlies of the Ontario Hockey League.

Author: Randy Russon

Russon brings a a lifetime of media experience to the JuniorHockey.com staff.

View all articles by Randy Russon

Email Randy Russon

Discuss:

posted Mar. 12th, 2012 - 2:04pm

Mike Cline says:

Congratulations Warrior fans.

posted Mar. 12th, 2012 - 2:27pm

Jack Dodd says:

This is great News and thanks for confirming this Randy.
The NAHL is an excellant brand of Junior Hockey and while it is true that many hockey fans in Flint miss the Generals and the Pro game having the Michigan Warriors is the next best thing IMO. Saginaw don't have there Pro team the Gears no more & fans there have got over that and are enjoying the Saginaw Spirit junior hockey team. I hope that more hockey fans in Flint can get over the Generals and enjoy the Michigan Warriors Junior Hockey.

posted Mar. 12th, 2012 - 5:08pm

Tony Prito says:

I am a hockey fan period...actually a fan of good hockey and the N.A.H.L. is good hockey and I am happy that the Warriors will be staying and playing at Perani Arena.
I agree that we need to put the Generals and the IHL behind us if we are true hockey fans. I am a fan of 'good hockey' which makes me a fan of the Michigan Warriors. Junior Hockey as College Basketball is more action and ecsitement than the Pro's if you ask me.

posted Mar. 12th, 2012 - 10:11pm

Pat McEachern says:

Thanks Randy for the accurate reporting you are a welcome breath of fresh air to the NAHL. Warriors look forward to making a couple of trips to the Sault next year. The Sault is the home of a great hockey tradition and about to experience some hard nose blue collar Michigan Warrior hockey from the toughest greatest part of the state Flint !!

posted Mar. 12th, 2012 - 11:59pm

Kevin Burge says:

Thanks Pat, and all of your mgt. team you saved me a lot of gas money, as now I don't have to go to Saginaw and Detroit for my hockey fix...lol Linda and I will enjoy the next season as we have the last two...Good luck..

posted Mar. 13th, 2012 - 7:08am

Tony Prito says:

Let the Flint-Soo rivalrey begin!
Randy: You must be doing something right for the Warriors Owner Pat McEachern to respond here!

posted Mar. 13th, 2012 - 7:18am

Randy Russon says:

Pat,

Thanks for the nice words. Am looking forward to continuing to cover the Soo Eagles once they make their move to the NAHL. Am also looking forward to an Eagles-Michigan Warriors I-75 highway rivalry. And am looking forward to heading to Flint to watch the Warriors play some games as well. On a side note, maybe the Warriors can head up to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. next fall for a pre-season game with the NOJHL's Soo Thunderbirds.

Regards.
Randy

posted Mar. 13th, 2012 - 4:24pm

Chris Warner says:

Time to do the right thing now and name the team the FLINT Warriors!!!

posted Mar. 21st, 2012 - 2:47pm

Mike Johnson says:

Staying in Flint yes, but there is a rumor going around that the Warriors are not playing at Perani Arena..Hearing they are moving to Iceland Arena in Flint...And that a Minor Pro team is moving into Perani.....

posted Mar. 22nd, 2012 - 8:07am

Randy Russon says:

Mike,

The Warriors have partnered with Firland Management, which operates Perani Arena. Thus, I would be surprised if the Warriors were to leave Perani. Besides, if a minor pro team is coming to Flint, it could share Perani with the Warriors.

Regards,

Randy

posted Mar. 25th, 2012 - 4:12pm

Tony Prito says:

Dp the Warriors evan have a PR Department? Does any one there answer E-mails? Can't find a dam thing about Goalie Brach Tiller leaving the team and of coarse MLIVE.com has F-all.

posted Mar. 26th, 2012 - 8:23am

Mike Johnson says:

Well, I don't have any knowledge of the situation, but looking at the roster his birth date is 3/20 and he just turned 21 years old.

Per NCAA Rules:

3. 21-Year Old Rule
What happens if I turn 21 years old during the junior hockey season?
If you play a junior hockey game after your 21st birthday you will lose 1 year of NCAA athletic eligibility leaving you with 3 years remaining.

Does this rule apply to Division II and III?
No. This rule applies only to Division I.

How can I turn 21 years old, continue playing junior hockey and still retain NCAA eligibility?
Using the NCAA “transfer rules” you can continue playing junior hockey after your 21st birthday and retain 4 years of athletic eligibility if, prior to your 21st birthday, you enroll full-time at a college institution that does not sponsor a hockey program. Although you will lose some of your 5-year academic eligibility as your 5 yr clock will start ticking you will not lose any of your 4-year athletic eligibility.

Does the rule apply to Division II and III?
No. The 21-year old rule applies only to student-athletes wishing to compete in Division I. It does not apply to those student-athletes wishing to compete in Division II and III. information such as SAT, high school average and hockey statistics.

Don't have a Facebook account?

Log in with your JuniorHockey.com account »

New visitors: Click here to create your JuniorHockey.com account »

( we'll bring you back here when you're finished! )

Back to Junior Hockey News

* Article disclaimer: This site may contain advice, opinions and statements from various authors and information providers. Views expressed in this article reflect the personal opinion of the author, Randy Russon, and not necessarily the views of JuniorHockey.com. JuniorHockey.com does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other info provided in the article, or from any other member of this site.