Bombers Honor Troy Bruins This Weekend

November 13, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Bombers will wear commemorative throwback Troy Bruins jerseys when they play at the historic Hobart Arena in Troy throughout the 2008-09 season.

The Bruins were the first professional hockey team in the Miami Valley, starting in 1950 as the Miami Valley Bruins, an exhibition team in the International Hockey League. In 1951 the Troy Bruins officially joined the IHL and continued to play until 1959 at the newly constructed Hobart Arena.

"We are excited to represent the history of professional hockey in the Miami Valley and honor the Bruins, who were the pioneers," Bombers President Costa Papista said. "It also gives our team a little perspective about where we as a team came from and why we are here."

The Bombers will pay tribute to the founding fathers of Dayton hockey by wearing special Troy Bruins jerseys at each of the six games they play at Hobart Arena this season. Following the completion of the Sunday, March 22 game against Gwinnett, the Bombers will auction off the jerseys to benefit local Miami County charities and the Dayton Bombers Foundation.

"I feel that this is a nice gesture and real tribute to the hockey history of the Miami Valley, Troy and the Hobart Arena," said Hobart General Manager Ken Siler. "There are still many people who can really identify with the Troy/Miami Valley Bruins and the excitement they created back in the 1950's."

Five former Bruins remain in the Troy area, including Jim Campbell, Fred Evans, Guy LeClerc, Norm McAtee and Bill Murphy, and continue to attend Bombers games.

"This is a great idea," said former Bruins player/coach Norm McAtee, who was a Bruin from 1951 to 1954. "It's nice to have a tribute like this, especially for the old-time fans and players we still have in the area."

The Bombers are on the road tomorrow at Wheeling at 7:35 p.m. Listen or watch on B2 Networks by clicking here and selecting the radio or web broadcast of the Bombers. Action returns to the Miami Valley as the Johnstown Chiefs visit Hobart Arena on Saturday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. then the E.J. Nutter Center on Sunday, November 16 at 5:00 p.m.

Individual tickets start at just $10 for kids under 18 and $15 for adults and can be purchased at the Nutter Center box office or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Full and partial season tickets for the 2008-09 Bombers 18th Anniversary season and discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available by contacting the Bombers office at (937) 775-4747. Visit www.daytonbombers.com for more information.



ECHL Stories from November 13, 2008


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