ROCHESTER, MI--- The International Hockey League (IHL) announced Tuesday that the Dayton Gems were approved by the league's Board of Governors as the first expansion franchise in the new IHL. The team will be owned and operated by Richard Bruner and Ryan Yerrick and will play at the Hara Arena beginning in the 2009-2010 season.
"We are very pleased to be able to announce the Dayton Gems return to the International Hockey League," stated Michael Franke, IHL Chairman of the Board. "We feel with the ownership group in place, along with the great facility in Dayton, that we have a winning combination with the Gems."
"The revival of the Gems is a product of a collaborative effort from the great folks at the Hara Arena and the dedicated ownership group both committed to providing a great IHL product on and off the ice to the Dayton market," added Frank D. Kinney, IHL Vice Chairman of the Board.
Dayton Gems were a member of the old IHL from 1964-1980. The Gems earned five trips to the Turner Cup Finals, winning the Turner Cup Championship in 1969, 1970 and 1976.
"I see an opportunity to re-kindle some of the old time hockey rivalries like the Fort Wayne Komets and Muskegon Lumberjacks," said Bruner. "Our goal is to bring a revival to Hara, old traditions with a new club and community leadership."
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