Defenseman Derian Hatcher scored the Motor City Mechanics' goal in a 5-1 loss to the Flint Generals.Nearly 4,500 fans come to see Hatcher
Newest Motor City Mechanic gets mixed reaction from Flint crowd.
Flint forward Kris Waltze, who has 206 penalty minutes in 39 games, tried to goad Derian Hatcher into a confrontation.
Hockey fan Andrea Addicott, 6, of Saginaw, asks for a puck from the Flint Generals before Wednesday's game.
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FLINT -- Red Wings defenseman Derian Hatcher returned to playing hockey with mixed reactions from an enthusiastic crowd of Flint Generals fans.
Before a standing room only crowd of 4,421 at Perani's Arena, the Generals defeated the Mechanics 5-1. Hatcher did score the Mechanics' goal, but was on the ice for three of the Generals' goals.
"Early on it was rough sledding," said Hatcher, who played more than 20 minutes. "You can't expect to just jump right in like that."
More than 1,000 tickets were sold in the 24 hours after it was announced Hatcher, Chris Chelios and Kris Draper signed Tuesday with the Motor City Mechanics of the United Hockey League.
The Generals average 2,998 fans, and normally would have drawn about 1,500 for Wednesday's game.
"I'm a big Red Wings fan, so getting a chance to see any of them play here, that's exciting," said Tom Clancy, of Burton. "This is great for every hockey fan here."
Still, many fans were disappointed all they got was Hatcher in the Mechanics lineup.
Draper is still clearing up insurance issues. Chelios, getting into game shape, will play Friday back in Fraser when the Mechanics host Rockford.
Draper, who attended Wednesday's game, is hoping to be in the lineup Friday at Great Lakes Sports Arena.
"Right now, it's still hung up with the insurance," Draper said. "They (the insurance company) want to know how many games I'll be playing, how much I'll be traveling. After I get those things worked out, I'll be all set, but we still have to work out those things."
With Draper and Chelios out, that left Hatcher to get the cheers, but also plenty of chants of "scab", "go back home", and "Hatcher, you stink", from the sometimes hostile crowd.
"I'm on the other team," said Hatcher, not surprised by the mixed reception. "If Draper was here (playing) they would have cheered the entire game."
Dave Patterson, a long-time Generals fan from Flint and General Motors employee, was bothered by Hatcher's presence in the Mechanics roster.
"He's nothing but a scab," said Patterson, clad in a red Wings sweatshirt. "My feeling is those guys are playing for millions and they're taking money from other people. These guys (minor leaguers) are playing for their lunch money."
Patterson wouldn't be surprised that if the lockout extends into next season more NHL players would dip into the UHL and take over available roster spots.
"They'll be the first ones in line," said Patterson, who added he's losing interest in the NHL the longer the lockout continues.
The Mechanics front office reiterated Wednesday that no player lost their roster position because of the arrival of the locked out NHL players.
But that didn't satisfy Generals players, who weren't pleased with Hatcher being on the ice either.
"I don't think there's any way not to resent it," said Generals forward Rob Valicevic. "I understand from their standpoint they want to play, but you have to look at it from our standpoint. A lot of guys are making $300 to $500 supporting their families.
"For the league it's great, but you will see resentment from the players."
Valecevic also said NHL players will be targets on the ice. The Generals appeared to go after Hatcher early -- especially forward Kris Waltze (206 penalty minutes in 39 games) -- but decreased as the game progressed.
"He's a big guy out there, but we knew we weren't going to let up," said Generals forward Kam White. "He's one of us."
The intensity was about what Hatcher expected.
"Actually it calmed down more than I thought it would," Hatcher said. "It's hockey. That's the way it's going to be like."
Hatcher did have his supporters, though.
"It's been a long time since so many people have been here for a game," said Stacy Schwerin, of Burton, wearing a white Wings jersey. "I can't go to Wings games because you can't find any tickets. This is exciting."
"How many chances are you going to have to see a guy (Hatcher) like that up close in a small rink like this," said Damon Hardy, of Davison, who brought along his son Korey, 14. "This is fantastic."
It was Hatcher's first game action since last May, when the Red Wings were eliminated by the Calgary Flames. After seeing so little playing time last season because of a knee injury, and having most of this season already lost due to the lockout, Hatcher said it was vital to return to game action.
"There's a point where you can't expect to sit out for two years and expect to play and be successful," Hatcher said. "That's what's on my mind right now. I just have to play on any level."
"I'm a big Red Wings fan, so getting a chance to see any of them play here, that's exciting. This is great for every hockey fan here."
Ted Kulfan can be reached at (313) 223-4606.
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