Gems Hockey Will Be Back Next Season

By Bruce Kettelle
Muskegon will be the only International Hockey League team missing from the 2010 fall schedule. That was the loud and clear message Monday from IHL commissioner Dennis Hextall in Trotwood’s Hara Arena, home of the Dayton Gems.

Hextall and Dayton Gems ownership partner Rob Garfield assured about 100 fans attending the press conference the Gems will return to the ice this fall.

The 2010-11 season schedule will reflect a few changes that include an earlier playoff schedule in April with the regular season ending in March. The 70 game schedule, down from last year’s 76, will be released around the 2nd week of June.

As for the Gems, Garfield has his work cut out for him. “My immediate priorities are to get our new sales team in place by May 15 and a new coach by June 1.”

Garfield said they wouldn’t have a short list of coach candidates until all the playoffs are complete. “We are absolutely not going the cheap route when it comes to our coach.” “We are looking for a young and aggressive coach that holds the players accountable.”

“Fans don’t want to just watch the team skate up and down the ice.” “If a player doesn’t want to check, then he is out of here.”

Garfield visions rebuilding the team from the back to the front. “We’ll start with goaltending, then defense, then forwards.” “We’re going to produce a product people have just not seen in Dayton before.”

“We are definitely not taking fighting out of the league,” acknowledged Hextall. Any changes to the rules will be designed to be closer to the NFL rules. Hextall likes that style of play and it should make it easier for the players if the get called up.

The other big change for Dayton fans is the new ticket prices. Season ticket prices will reflect a $200 discount over the individual game tickets. All individual game tickets will cost $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. That is far less than last season’s staggered prices of $18, $15, and $13.

“There really isn’t any other sports venue this economical for a family outing,” said Warren Back the Gems director of business affairs. Last year’s season ticket package was over $500, this year it is $367.

Garfield admits the partners would like to add a few more investors to the team. “We don’t need a lot of help, but we do need a little.” For that effort they have enlisted the help of The Sports Advisory Group.

With the Gems still in play Hextall is putting his attention on growing the league. Some cost changes are being considered such as lowering each team’s weekly payroll cap from $13,000 and shaving the team roster size a little. The idea is to make it more affordable for the team owners.

He hopes the league will have 8 or 10 teams in 2011. Hextall said he likes even numbers, that way no one has to sit out on weekends.