Davis promoted, players leave Machine

Jesse Davis has been named associate general manager of the Motor City Machine and two players have left the North American Hockey League team.

A scout and assistant general manager for the organization this year, Davis has been asked to assume a more prominent role in the organization since the resignation of head coach Matt Romaniski.

Davis is well-known throughout the hockey establishment having coached at the youth and junior levels. His private company, Hockey Smart, puts on several youth tournaments each year and Davis travels throughout the Midwest during the season scouting the top hockey talent.

He has also been instrumental in identifying and coordinating the acquisition of several Machine players including Adam Sponseller, Cody Holzworth, Gage Emerson, David Formanek and Matt Delaney.

Three-year NAHL veteran forward and team captain Marco Ruggeri has decided to move on to college after the holiday break and rookie Phil Webb has re-joined the Little Caesars midgets.

Ruggeri became captain after the trade of Andy Inderieden and came to the Machine from the Southern Minnesota Express when the team relocated.

Prior to playing for the Machine, Ruggeri played for Sarnia in the WOHL and Alpena in the NAHL. He has significant interests and talents in the performing arts and looks to puruse that in school.

Webb played in 22 games for the Machine and had a goal and three assists. Going back to Caesars will give him an opportunity to use his NAHL experience and possibly vie for a national championship.