IHL Welcomes the Dayton Gems

[VodkaFish]

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.”

[caps05]

Interesting. I wonder if this means the folks in Dayton don't expect the Bombers to come back next year, let alone at all, or if this is just a stopgap solution.

[MrFrost]

finally. This was the only one i wasnt 100% sure about.

[chilly666]

so that's still six teams right?

[Skorka85]

Originally Posted by MrFrost

finally. This was the only one i wasnt 100% sure about.

Really? I think this was the most sure fire expansion they'd have. It won't make a lick of difference though if Flint can't stay afloat or they don't add at least one more team. Having said that though, suck it Kzoo.

Welcome Dayton Gems!

[MAILHOT44]

Welcome Dayton!

[caps05]

Originally Posted by chilly666

so that's still six teams right?

Yep.

Muskegon, Fort Wayne, Dayton, Flint, Port Huron, Bloomington.

[Grittzkey]

Umm, If we could get just 1 freaking more team, and k-zoo didn't leave.. and 8 team league woudl have been rad.. just saying.

[SnowballIsChamp]

Great news. Dayton will actually have a fighter unlike those clowns in K-Zoo.

[MrFrost]

KZoo had Jurynec. He may have not won many but he took on everyone he could. Ill miss him the most. Him, Styffe, Lamontagne,... those guys made the game fun as hell

[MrFrost]

Originally Posted by Skorka85

Really? I think this was the most sure fire expansion they'd have. It won't make a lick of difference though if Flint can't stay afloat or they don't add at least one more team. Having said that though, suck it Kzoo.

Welcome Dayton Gems!

No, they were really quiet about all info. Fic and Timmy didnt know until just recently. I knew a week ago but before that, they didnt release crap for info.
Quad City hasnt confirmed anything yet either..... or did they???

[Skorka85]

Originally Posted by MrFrost

No, they were really quiet about all info. Fic and Timmy didnt know until just recently. I knew a week ago but before that, they didnt release crap for info.
Quad City hasnt confirmed anything yet either..... or did they???

Depends who you talk to. According to the majority of season ticket holders from the Flames there is NO chance QC has any hockey this year. I for one hope they're wrong. Bring back the Mallards!

[MrFrost]

QC is leaving a league much like Dayton did. Theyre playing the silent role... for what? Im not sure, but Id assume lawsuit/media releases/gaining popularity.

Who knows. But regardless, Kzoo is gone but replaced. i wish they wouldve stayed. I wasnt sure at first of this was a good idea or not for em, but im just now leaning toward NOT a good idea. I dont mean to talk bad by any means, but they werent that good in the IHL, what is making them think they are gonna thrive in a bigger league? I still dont get it.

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by MrFrost

QC is leaving a league much like Dayton did. Theyre playing the silent role... for what? Im not sure, but Id assume lawsuit/media releases/gaining popularity.

Who knows. But regardless, Kzoo is gone but replaced. i wish they wouldve stayed. I wasnt sure at first of this was a good idea or not for em, but im just now leaning toward NOT a good idea. I dont mean to talk bad by any means, but they werent that good in the IHL, what is making them think they are gonna thrive in a bigger league? I still dont get it.

as for quad city, it is being kept under the table. the league has really known since calgary pulled the affiliation agreement with them during the season. the ahl is gonna announce it after the BOG meeting or conference that they have each summer. there will be no hockey in quad city this and maybe even beyond. they know the fans are not gonna pay the ahl ticket prices for an ihl team to help pay off the arena and everything that goes with it.

[Skorka85]

Originally Posted by MrFrost

No, they were really quiet about all info. Fic and Timmy didnt know until just recently. I knew a week ago but before that, they didnt release crap for info.
Quad City hasnt confirmed anything yet either..... or did they???

Anyone who read two of the more IHL focused message boards would have known Dayton was coming.