Fox Motors Hockey Club LogoBy Michael Caples –

The Michigan Nationals will be playing under a new name this spring.

The hockey association recently announced that they have entered into a sponsorship agreement with Fox Motors, and starting on April 1, they will be skating under the “Fox Motors Hockey Club” name.

“I think as an organization, we’ve always been looking to partner with leaders in the community that really want to do things the right way,” Michigan Nationals co-hockey director Mike Slobodnik told MiHockey. “I think Fox Motors is a leader in our community, the business community here, and a business that really prides itself on doing things the right way. We’ve always felt that when we started the Nationals program four years ago, we wanted to build to the point where we could go to somebody and offer them something. Two years ago, I didn’t feel we were at that point, but I think we’re at the point now that we have a big footprint not only in Michigan and the Midwest, but nationally with our program.”

Sponsorship of the program will include $45,000 in player scholarships, while Southside Ice Arena – the Nationals’ home – will match the total, making $90,000 available to assist hockey families for the next three years. Fox Motors will also assist in the installation of a Rapid Shot Training System and updates to the dry land training facilities at Southside Ice Arena.

“We are excited to be a part of strengthening the hockey community in West Michigan as our family truly enjoys the sport,” said Fox Motors owner and CEO Daniel G. DeVos. “Travis was a part of our Griffins family and we are excited to continue the relationship to support our youth.”

For Slobodnik, the resources mean more opportunities for his players at all ages and levels.

“The one thing I’ll say with that is that it’s a very slippery slope – we’re very cognizant of the fact that we don’t want to use that as a tool to lure kids here,” Slobodnik said. ”If a kid wants to come here, wants to play here, makes a choice to play here, and says I want to be here, I just can’t afford it, then we have some opportunities for him. I don’t want to be an organization that goes out there flaunting money and saying if you come play here you can play for free. That’s not the objective.

“For us, there are house kids in the program that really struggle to afford house hockey. Part of that scholarship money is going to go towards them. I think people tend to think of us as high-end and AAA, but our house program and our cross-ice program and our learn-to-skate program is just as important. Getting kids into the game, that’s the bottom line. Some of those resources are going towards our cross-ice program and making sure our mite program kicks butt and making sure we have great coaches on the ice.”

The Michigan Nationals have been in operation since 2011, and offer programs ranging from “Learn to Skate” to Tier I and Tier II travel teams. The association – one of eight approved for Tier I status for the 2015-16 season by the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association – currently holds 23 teams and more than 400 players.

“Our goal is to have the best youth hockey program,” said Grand Rapids Griffins alum and Michigan Nationals co-hockey director Travis Richards in a release. “Fox Motors is the perfect fit as they are the best at what they do. We look forward to the partnership as we continue to grow and develop our program and players.”