Gems Hockey Uninterrupted With New Owners

By Bruce Kettelle

A new Dayton area investor group emerged today as the new owners of the fledgling Dayton Gems at Trotwood’s Hara Arena. GDHP, LLC, a company created this morning, took over the reins after the previous owners Ryan Yerrick and Rich Brunner fell behind in the $6,000 monthly league franchise payments to the IHL.

Speaking for the new investment group Rob Garfield owner of Garfield Logistics (a trucking company) and Dream Catchers Coaches (the team’s bus company) said, “we will continue what Ryan and Rich started.”

Kathy Rupp (widow of former Gem goalie Pat Rupp) and team doctor Dr. Paul Nitz were introduced as partners in the Greater Dayton Hockey Players (GDHP) investment team. “We are looking to add additional local investors, tell people to call me,” said Garfield.

IHL Commissioner Dennis Hextall welcomes new Gems ownership spokesman Rob Garfield to the league. Also pictured are Gems media director Jill Sanders and coach John Marks.

Some of the new partners were part of a group that contacted Hara last spring to look at starting a new team in 2010. That was before Yerrick and Brunner decided to move ahead with a team this year. “These are hockey lovers and local business owners,” said Karen Wampler promotions director at Hara.

Garfield, a season ticket holder, had already been helping with the team’s cash flow before the IHL put them on notice last week. “Things happened very quickly,” he said. “It costs about $20,000 a week to run the team.”

When asked about his attendance goals he said he wants to start seeing sellouts. He fondly remembers when the previous Gems teams filled Hara and tickets were hard to get.

Rob Garfiled has been a hockey fan for a long time and now is part of the GDHL, LLC partnership that owns the IHL Dayton Gems.

He said the coach and team are doing a great job on the ice and he wants to focus more on marketing. He sees the team becoming known as a locally owned team that develops partnerships with local businesses. He also envisions reaching out to build ticket sales at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and other large area employers.

Ticket prices were also mentioned as something the partners will take a look at. “We may make some adjustment so fans get the best possible value,” said Garfield.

Payroll is up to date and the team has not missed a game. Players are gearing up for two home games this weekend, Saturday against Fort Wayne at 7:30 and Sunday against Port Huron at 7:30pm (the later start time is a change from the original schedule). For ticket information call 275-7777.