FLINT -- Flint unveils its newest hockey team, the Michigan Warriors.
The announcement didn't have all the fanfare the team would have liked.
That's because it's dancing delicately around the team that's currently playing there.
While the Flint Generals prepare to face off in a do-or-die game six Tuesday, upstairs another new team is getting ready to move into Perani Arena.
Moe Mantha, general manager and coach of the Michigan Warriors, says "It is a nervous time of what we're doing today. We talk about the Flint Generals, wish them all the best in the playoffs and continued success."
Warriors owners say the awkward timing is because their business plan is running three to four weeks behind schedule.
Outside Perani Arena, the sign still says "Home of the Flint Generals",' and it still is. But there is uncertainty.
The home page of the International Hockey League website says "...Perani Arena's announcement about a junior team does not impact the IHL's plans to maintain a team in Flint next season...the junior team's home schedule will not conflict with the Generals' schedule."
Perani operations say the Generals ownership issues need to be resolved.
In the meantime, the Generals aren't allowing the Warriors to distract them.
Generals centerman Ben Boudreau says, "To tell you the truth, we didn't even know anything about the junior team."
Generals general manager and coach Peter South says, "We're going to play our hockey. My philosophy in life is I only worry about things I can control. I can't control what's going on upstairs."
While the junior hockey team isn't professional, many pros came out of the league like Red Wings rookie goalie Jimmy Howard and defenseman Brian Rafalski.
The Warriors were brought and bought from Marquette. They're formerly the Rangers, who won their first regular season title last year.
The team begins its first season at Perani Arena this September.
