Michigan Warriors

Michigan Warriors
CityFlint, Michigan
LeagueNorth American Hockey League
DivisionNorth
Founded2006
Home arenaPerani Arena and Event Center
ColorsNavy blue, red, silver, and white
       
General managerJeremy Torrey (director of operations)
Franchise history
2006–2010Marquette Rangers
2010–2015Michigan Warriors

The Michigan Warriors were a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team based in Flint, Michigan. The Warriors played in the North American Hockey League's North Division. Previously known as the Marquette Rangers, the Warriors played their home games at Perani Arena and Event Center.

In 2010 and Perani Arena decided to sign a lease agreement with the junior Michigan Warriors instead of the minor professional Flint Generals, leaving only junior hockey in a town that hosted several minor professional teams. Had the Generals returned for 2010–11, the Warriors would have still remained making sure their home schedule had no conflicts with the Generals.[citation needed] In 2015, the Michigan Warriors suspended operations due to the arrival of the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League.

Franchise history

Rangers Logo

The Warriors were previously known as the Marquette Rangers playing out of the 3,100-seat Lakeview Arena in Marquette, Michigan. Their inaugural season was 2006–07, in which they were able to make the playoffs but fell to the Mahoning Valley Phantoms in the first round. The Rangers missed the playoffs for the next two seasons before returning in the 2009–10 season. Once more the Rangers fell in the first round, this time swept out in three games by the Motor City Machine. In their first season in Flint, the Warriors turned a third place regular season finish into a playoff run that took them to the league championship game. In a battle for their respective first league titles, the Warriors dropped a 4–2 game to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

Prior to the end of the 2014–15 season the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) announced the relocation of the Plymouth Whalers to Flint to become the Flint Firebirds. Knowing Flint could not support two junior teams at the same time, the Warriors looked for relocation alternatives.

Season records

Season GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
Marquette Rangers
2006–07 62 25 32 5 55 189 227 1,832 4th, North Lost in First Round
2007–08 58 26 29 3 55 186 216 995 6th, North Did not qualify
2008–09 58 26 24 8 60 165 170 1,024 5th, North Did not qualify
2009–10 58 35 22 1 71 186 154 1,043 1st, North Lost in First Round
Michigan Warriors
2010–11 58 35 17 6 76 202 141 899 3rd, North Lost in Final
2011–12 60 23 32 5 52 163 212 766 4th, North Lost in First Round
2012–13 60 19 32 9 47 136 177 855 8th, North Did not qualify
2013–14 60 30 20 10 70 178 173 1128 2nd, North Lost in semi-final
2014–15 60 25 26 9 59 148 183 994 4th, North Lost in First Round

Playoffs

  • 2007
First Round – Mahoning Valley Phantoms defeated Marquette Rangers 3-games-to-0
  • 2010
First Round – Motor City Machine defeated Marquette Rangers 3-games-to-0
  • 2011
Divisional Semi-finals – Michigan Warriors defeated Traverse City North Stars 3-games-to-1
Divisional Finals – Michigan Warriors defeated Bismarck Bobcats 2-games-to-0
Robertson Cup Round-Robin – Michigan Warriors 1 win, 2 loss – qualified for semi-finals (Bulls 2–5, Ice Dogs 2–4, RoadRunners 5–2)
Robertson Cup Semi-finals – Michigan Warriors defeated Amarillo Bulls 6–2 score
Robertson Cup Finals – Fairbanks Ice Dogs defeated Michigan Warriors 4–2 score
  • 2012
Divisional Semi-finals – Port Huron Fighting Falcons defeated Michigan Warriors 3-games-to-1
  • 2014
Divisional Semi-finals – Michigan Warriors defeated Janesville Jets 3-games-to-0
Divisional Finals – Michigan Warriors defeated Port Huron Fighting Falcons 3-games-to-1
Robertson Cup Semi-finals – Fairbanks Ice Dogs defeated Michigan Warriors 2-games-to-0
  • 2015
First Round – Janesville Jets defeated Michigan Warriors 3-games-to-0

References