Weekend Preview: Motor City Rockers @ Minnesota Northern Lights

FEELS SO GOOD TO BE BACK 

The Motor City Rockers will play their first game in 549 days when they drop the puck against the Minnesota Northern Lights. The Rockers' last game was on April 15, 2025, in a 4-2 playoff loss to the Watertown Wolves. The Rockers were granted dormancy status during the 2025-26 season. When the puck drops, Motor City will be the first team in FPHL history to enter dormancy and return to play out of a new arena.

The Rockers bring back a slew of familiar faces. Doug Blaisdell, Rico Gonzalez, Clayton Hightower, Cade Lambdin, Nick Magill-Diaz, Avery Smith, and TJ Sneath all previously donned the purple and black. Of the seven returning Rockers, six played in the 2024-25 season.

Head Coach Todd Watson will coach his first game since 2020, when he was leading the Odessa Jackalopes of the North American Hockey League. Watson brings a storied career to Motor City, including a NAHL Executive of the Year award, a Robertson Cup as an assistant with the Plymouth Whalers, and a 154-115-33 record as the head coach of the Saginaw Spirit. The Southgate native will lead the Rockers in his first-ever pro game as a coach.

Of the 18 players dressing this weekend, 15 call Michigan home. Those from outside the Wolverine State include Austin Buck (St. Charles, MO), Avery Smith (Trophy Club, TX), and TJ Sneath (Chino, CA).

The Minnesota Northern Lights have already started their inaugural campaign. Playing out of Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the Northern Lights dropped their first two games on the road against the Indiana Sentinels. Friday's affair saw Minnesota jump out to a 2-0 lead before surrendering four straight goals to drop its opener, 4-2. Saturday saw a similar result. The Northern Lights led Indiana 2-0 after 20 minutes of play, but a five-goal barrage in the middle frame helped propel the Sentinels to a series sweep, sending Minnesota back home still without a point. Former Rocker Declan Conway scored three of Minnesota's four goals during its opening weekend. Chris Corgan and Kylow Monkman both recorded a trio of assists on the trip.

The Minnesota Northern Lights named their captains this week. Chris Corgan was given the C for the Northern Lights, while Brad Reitter and Declan Conway both got the A on their jerseys. All three played for the Motor City Rockers. Corgan played 19 games for Motor City across two stints during the 2022-23 and 2024-25 seasons. Conway put up 92 points in 96 games over two seasons with Motor City. Reitter recorded 71 points over 87 games in the purple and black.

The Minnesota Northern Lights are playing their first home game in franchise history. The Northern Lights are the first team in FPHL history based in Minnesota. Last season, fans in Thief River Falls were treated to a neutral-site game between the Topeka Scarecrows and the Indiana Sentinels.

This game and every Rockers game will be streamed on the Rockers Media Network. Free for all Rockers fans, every game can be watched at www.youtube.com/@rockersmedianetwork. The broadcast starts at 7:30 p.m. EDT, with an 8 p.m. EDT puck drop.