It's Official, Gems Hockey Will Play In Dayton

By Bruce Kettelle

At a press confrence in Hara Arena this morning the new Gems Hockey team was accepted into the International Hockey League for the 2009 season. IHL Chairman Michael Franke delivered the news and said he looks forward to new rivalries especially between the Ft Wayne Comets and the Dayton Gems. Ft Wayne is the closest IHL team to Dayton.

The fall schedule has not been created but Franke assured fans there will be exciting action on the ice in October.

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It’s official and hockey fans are rejoicing. Dayton will have hockey in 2009 and it will be at Hara right here in Trotwood

The Dayton Gems, that’s right they are using the old name retired 20 some years ago, are a brand new franchise in the IHL (International Hockey League). New owners Richard Brunner and Ryan Yerrick of Ft Wayne Indiana scrambled to create the new team when word got out that the Dayton Bombers were closing down due to financial challenges.

IHL Chairman Michael Franke delivered the news in person during a press conference in Hara this morning. Franke said he looks forward to new rivalries especially between the Ft Wayne Comets and the Dayton Gems. Ft Wayne is the closest IHL team to Dayton.

Not surprisingly a few hockey fans managed to crash the press conference. Sporting a Dayton Gems hockey jersey was former Dayton Bomber season ticket holder Steve Macdougarr. “I’m already signed up for four Gems season tickets,” he said enthusiastically.

Macdougarr said the writing seemed to be on the wall for the Dayton Bombers and he was reluctant to reup his season tickets there for another season which he thought might not happen. The Bombers owner announced in April they would not be able to play in October at the Nutter Center due to financial difficulties.

“It was very sterile watching games at the Nutter,” said Macdougarr. He said he became even more aware of the unfriendly environment after seeing the Bombers playoffs in 2002 which were moved to Hara Arena because of scheduling problems. “It seemed there were fewer fans at the Nutter Center after that game in Hara.”

He noted that the Nutter always felt a little empty with its 10,000 seats. “In Hara if they draw 4,000 it will feel packed.”

The Dayton suburb of Trotwood is the actual home of Hara, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed by local officials. Mayor Darreyl Davis and members of the city council were on hand to welcome the Gems to town and congratulate the owners of Hara for landing the startup team on such short notice.

Rue Wampler one of the arena’s family owners sported a suit for the occasion but said his jeans were in his office so he could change after the press conference. “I’ve got six years of work to do in just a few months,” he said about getting the arena in shape for the team’s debut in October.

Exactly what those improvements are was left unstated but fans will be able to see some while the players will see others such as the makeover of the locker rooms.

Former Gem coach and player Warren Back as Director of Business Affairs is one of the first hires in the team’s front office. Another former player Guy Trottier is Director of Hockey Operations. Matt Goshert Director of Sales and Marketing, and Bob Brogan Corporate Sales Coordinator round out the initial operation.

The schedule will include 38 home games in Hara this season. The full schedule will be finalized during the league’s annual meeting June 15-17th. The team began accepting season ticket reservations last week by phone at 275-7777.