Meet the Staff: Owner Ken Andrews

WYANDOTTE, Mich. — As the Motor City Rockers prepare to launch a new era of professional hockey at Yack Arena, the organization will spend the next several weeks introducing fans to the people helping bring Rockers hockey back to life.

Some names will be familiar to longtime fans. Others are new to the organization. But each person featured in this series shares the same goal: building the best possible team, fan experience and community connection for Rockers fans across Wyandotte, Downriver and beyond.

The first member of the Motor City staff spotlight is owner Ken Andrews.

Image courtesy of Delta Imaging

A native of Allen Park, Andrews has been connected to hockey for most of his life. After playing throughout his youth, he remained involved in the game and later became active in coaching youth hockey in the area. That experience helped shape the way he viewed the sport, the community and the opportunity to make an impact.

In late 2024, Andrews learned the Rockers were for sale and saw an opportunity to take the next step in his hockey journey.

“There were a lot of reasons I was initially interested in the Rockers,” Andrews said. “First, I heard the organization needed help, and as I looked closer, I saw a real path to getting things pointed in the right direction. But it was bigger than that. Through coaching youth hockey, I saw firsthand how challenging it can be for families to get kids into the game and keep them involved long term. I felt there was an opportunity to help a professional team get back on its feet, and then use that platform to support youth hockey programs throughout the community. Affordability is a real challenge in our sport, and a professional hockey team can create resources, relationships and economies of scale that help make the game more accessible.”

Once everything was finalized, Andrews officially became owner of the Motor City Rockers in late January 2025.

From the beginning, his vision for the organization was built around more than wins and losses. Andrews wanted the Rockers to deliver a professional hockey experience that was exciting, accessible and deeply connected to the community.

Image courtesy of Lakewind Photography

“One of the key things we knew going in was that professional hockey has become much more than just the game itself,” Andrews said. “Fans are looking for a full experience, and those expectations continue to grow when you see the energy, production and creativity around the sport at the highest levels. We identified ways to bring big-event excitement to our fans and elevate the overall game-night experience. At the same time, the community side of our brand of hockey is just as important. One of the most incredible things about FPHL hockey is how accessible it is. Fans get to meet and interact with the same players who are thrilling them on the ice. When those players are also out in the community giving that support back, it creates a real win-win. It gives everyone a chance to work together for the benefit of the community.”

As the Rockers planned their future following the franchise’s dormancy during the 2025-26 season, Andrews was presented with another opportunity to expand his impact in the hockey world.

When it became clear that the Rockers would not be able to continue in their previous venue, Andrews and his team shifted their focus while keeping the same vision intact. That led to an opportunity with the Port Huron Prowlers.

“When it became clear we could not continue in the previous venue, we had to find a way to make the best of a difficult situation,” Andrews said. “An opportunity came together in Port Huron that allowed us to take many of the ideas we had been building for the Rockers and put them into action with the Prowlers. The community welcomed us with open arms, and together we were able to accomplish some incredible things. We were able to prove out the model we believed in, and that helped lead to a record-breaking season and a strong run at the Commissioner’s Cup. We came very close to bringing it back to Port Huron for the first time in 10 years.”

Andrews’ impact on the Prowlers was immediate. Under his leadership, numerous upgrades were made to the game presentation and arena experience, including on-ice projections, a new goal horn and improved broadcasting equipment.

The improvements did not go unnoticed. For his efforts, Andrews was named the 2026 Federal Prospects Hockey League Executive of the Year.

H/T Port Huron Prowlers Socials

“It was incredibly humbling to be named the 2026 FPHL Executive of the Year,” Andrews said. “We do what we do every day because we care about doing things the right way, but it was still very special to see the league recognize what was accomplished. This was absolutely a team effort. Without the work of our staff, the support of McMorran Place, the City of Port Huron and, of course, the fans, none of it would have been possible.”

Now, with the Rockers returning as an active franchise and beginning a new chapter at Yack Arena, Andrews is eager to bring professional hockey back to Downriver.

“I’m incredibly excited for what is coming to Downriver,” Andrews said. “To me, the Rockers represent the Downriver community – the work ethic, the tenacity, the grit and the commitment to getting the job done. Having a professional hockey team to call our own, right in the heart of one of the most hockey-rich areas in the country, feels fitting and long overdue. The hockey is going to be great, and so are the celebrations in Downtown Wyandotte and throughout the Downriver community. One thing I know about Downriver is that people here know good hockey. I’m very confident the product we are bringing will make this community proud.”

Fans can learn more about Ken Andrews and the Motor City Rockers during the organization’s introductory press conference and meet and greet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 28, at Yack Arena.

The event is family friendly and will include free giveaways, contests and more as the Rockers formally launch their return and introduce their new home in Wyandotte.

For more information, follow the Rockers on Facebook, X and Instagram, or visit RockersHockey.com.