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Dayton Gems Announce Season Opening Roster for 2011-2012

October 21, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Dayton, Ohio - The Dayton Gems professional hockey team, a proud member of the Central Hockey League, officially announced its season opening roster to begin the team's second CHL season on Saturday night at the Bloomington Blaze.

Nine players from last season's playoff season return to Dayton for 2011-2012, joined by eleven fresh faces, rounds out the club's official twenty man roster. Once again serving as team captain for his third season, veteran defenseman Greg Labenski will be joined by fellow veteran Chris Lipsett who will start his second year as a player/assistant coach.

With last season's MVP goaltender Jeff Jakaitis signed with the "AAA" Rochester Americans, Gems second year head coach Brian Gratz, a former netminder himself, invited four talented goalies to camp, ultimately retaining the pairing of former University of Michigan starter Bryan Hogan and Canadian university standout Kristofer Westblom between the pipes to begin the season.

Speaking of Michigan, nine players hail from the state up north, with forward Brandon Naurato reuniting with former Michigan Wolverine teammates Chad Langlais and Bryan Hogan. Taking it one step farther, both Langlais and Hogan spent part of their junior hockey careers together as members of the USHL's Lincoln Stars.

Gems head coach Brian Gratz introduced his new squad by noting "our goal on the ice this season is to win a championship, and with the talent we have to begin the year, I'm confident we are well on our way to meeting that goal for our players, fans and city."

The first test for this new Gems team will be on the road when they face the expansion Bloomington Blaze inside the US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Illinois this Saturday at 8pm. Fans are invited to the team's first Official Watch Party to cheer on the team at the Buffalo Wild Wings location in Englewood, where the live game broadcast will be featured on the many big screens throughout the restaurant, while Gems staff will be on hand to conduct drawings, contests and giveaways all game long.

2011-2012 Dayton Gems Roster:

Forwards

9 Jonathan Ornelas

11 Nino Musitelli

14 Ryan Hohl

15 Damian Surma

18 Nick Fanto

19 Brett Lutes

21 Kyle Bochek

22 Charlie Townsend

24 Brandon Naurato

42 Matt Larke

72 Chris Lipsett

Defensemen

5 Nick Duff

7 Chad Langlais

10 Tim Hartung

23 John Kennedy

25 James Sanford

27 Greg Labenski

34 Rob Schweyer

Goalies

35 Bryan Hogan

30 Kristofer Westblom

The Dayton Gems opening night is set for Saturday, November 5 at 7pm. Single Game Tickets are on sale now at the Hara Arena box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. In addition, full season and mini pack ticket packages are still available starting at $27! Call the Gems at 275-7777 for more information and to order by phone.

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