Motor City Names Todd Watson as Head Coach

The Motor City Rockers have named Todd Watson as their fourth coach in franchise history.

Watson, 59, brings a strong hockey resume to Motor City.

Starting as a coach for Compuware Midget AAA, Watson had three strong seasons before being promoted to the assistant coach and GM for the Compuware Junior A team in the North American Hockey League.

After just one season as the assistant, Watson was once again promoted, this time to general manager and head coach.

Over the next three seasons, Watson would go 115-37-16, including winning a national championship in 2002 while being named NAHL coach of the year.

His success with Compuware garnered  the attention of the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL.

Watson was named assistant general manager and assistant coach for the Whalers prior to the 2003-04 season.

From 2003 to 2007 Watson helped lead the Whalers to a 146-95-18-13 record, including the 2007 Robertson Cup championship and Memorial Cup appearance.

After his success with Plymouth, Watson was hired as the head coach and general manager of the Saginaw Spirit.

Watson continued his pattern of success with Saginaw.

During his time with the Spirit, Watson lead the franchise to their first-ever playoff series victory, and then their first-ever divisional title in 2010.

After his time with Saginaw, Watson would make his way to the NHL, where he spent the 2012 season as a scout for the Dallas Stars.

It was the continued pattern of success that caught the attention of Rockers general manager Nick Field.

"If you look at Todd's coaching resume and profile, he shows a pattern of growth and success." Field said. "He's been part of championship winning teams while in head coaching and general manager roles. Spending almost a decade in those positions in the OHL while working and developing NHL talent is ideal for what we are looking for here."

Watson thought his days in hockey were done. But hearing about this opportunity excited Watson to get back into the rink.

"I had no aspirations to get back into hockey," Watson said. "I love the game. Talking to Nick and the way he told me about these players that are doing this. The amount of respect I have for these guys are, it's unbelievable. They are still pushing."

Watson, a Southgate Aquinas graduate, wants his team to represent the community they represent;

"We're going to work," Watson said. "As long as we work how can I be upset? We're going to work, we're going to be Downriver. That's what Downriver is, it's not a choice. We're there to work."

Watson said he knows the type of mentality his players need to have for Downriver.

"Downriver is hardcore, they don't have time for soft hockey," Watson said. "They are there to work, if you are successful in Downriver it's because you worked for it. That's what I want our team to be, really indicative of the community."

Watson's roots in the Downriver community run deep, going back to his childhood.

"My mom lived on Chestnut street," Watson said. "My Grandma lived on 13th. We'd go there for holidays, if there were 10, 15, or 30 kids, it didn't matter."

Watson has found success from his competitive nature.

"I used to compete cutting the grass against my neighbor, and he didn't even know it," Watson said. "I'd be racing down the line and I'd be looking over and I'm thinking that guy is beating me. he didn't know we were racing just me."

The competitive sentiment was echoed throughout the interview process with Field.

"During the interview process there was one thing that stood out," Field said. "Todd and I both believe that all winning teams must have an extremely high compete level. You can count on our team to work and compete every night. We will strive to be the hardest working team, play gritty and physical, and stand up for each other on a nightly basis." 

Watson made it clear what the expectations are, and what kind of team they need to be.

"What are we going to look like?" Watson said. "We better work, we're gonna hit, we're not going to be lazy, We're going to get pucks in and out, we're going to forecheck."

Field is confident Watson is a coach that can bring winning hockey to the Downriver community.

"We wanted to find the right person to bring in that fit a profile," Field said. "His long experience as an OHL assistant coach, head coach, and general manager provides a wealth of knowledge that he will bring in leading this team." 

Watson and the Rockers open camp on Oct. 6th. The season opener is Oct. 16th at the Minnesota Northern Lights, and the home opener is Saturday, Oct. 24th when the Port Huron Prowlers come to the Yack Arena.

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