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Dayton Gems taken over by local investors

Kathy Rupp, one of the new members of the Dayton Gems LLC group ownership speaks at a press conference at Hara Arena on Thursday, Dec. 3.

Staff photo by Jim Witmer Kathy Rupp, one of the new members of the Dayton Gems LLC group ownership speaks at a press conference at Hara Arena on Thursday, Dec. 3.

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Rob Garfield, one of the new members of the Dayton Gems LLC group ownership speaks at a press conference at Hara Arena on Thursday, Dec. 3.

Staff photo by Jim Witmer Rob Garfield, one of the new members of the Dayton Gems LLC group ownership speaks at a press conference at Hara Arena on Thursday, Dec. 3.

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Dayton Gems players listen to coach John Marks during practice on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. Marks will continue as the teams coach under a new ownership group announced Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009.

Chris Stewart/Staff photo by Chris Stewart Dayton Gems players listen to coach John Marks during practice on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. Marks will continue as the teams coach under a new ownership group announced Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009.

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Members the Dayton Gems IHL hockey team applaud at a press conference at Hara Arena on Thursday, Dec. 3 where it was announced that the LLC group that has taken over the ownership of the Gems.

Staff photo by Jim Witmer Members the Dayton Gems IHL hockey team applaud at a press conference at Hara Arena on Thursday, Dec. 3 where it was announced that the LLC group that has taken over the ownership of the Gems.

By Marc Katz, Staff Writer Updated 1:19 AM Friday, December 4, 2009

TROTWOOD — Kathy Rupp, widow of former Dayton Gems goalie Pat Rupp and usually a person who likes to work in the background, stood next to a malfunctioning microphone in the Hara Arena lobby Thursday afternoon, Dec. 3, and told her players, “We’re going to kick some butt.”

“Her” players because Rupp is now a part-owner of the IHL team that left former owners Richard Bruner and Ryan Yerrick “broke” after only one month of the season had been played.

At a media conference to announce the first three of six initial investors, Karen Wampler of Hara Arena said they were Rupp, local trucking and bus businessman Ron Garfield and orthopedist Dr. Paul Nitz, the team physician.

Rupp said she hoped the ownership group would grow to as many as 20, similar to the original Gems rollcall in 1964, a team for which Pat Rupp played. The team is reorganizing under the GDHP LLC name, Greater Dayton Hockey Partnership.

Garfield, a spokesperson for the group, profusely thanked the team’s founders, and said only local investors would be invited to be part of new ownership. Garfield said it costs about $20,000 a week to operate an IHL team, including league dues, which are between $4-6,000 a month.

“We want to thank Richard and Ryan for bringing hockey back,” Garfield said. “We didn’t find out until late Tuesday afternoon there was going to be an issue.”

Former NHL player Dennis Hextall, who just became commissioner of the IHL in September, said he wasn’t involved last summer when Bruner and Yerrick were granted a franchise, and said he didn’t even know how much the two paid, although the entry fee is believed to be between $100,000 and $150,000.

“I wish we were under different circumstances,” Hextall said. “The league is very happy to have a new group ownership stand up. I think the team will be very strong for the rest of this year and the future.”

As late as Thursday morning, he couldn’t be so sure. The league was prepared to take over the team, but only to move it or shut it down immediately.

“All this happened in the last 48 hours,” Hextall said. “Everything I’ve heard is these people are financially sound. For the last two weeks, we’ve been struggling to keep (the Gems) afloat. Based on everything I’ve heard, this team will be here this year and into the future.”

One small problem did surface Thursday when Garfield was informed the Gems name is owned by someone else, believed to be Jeff Walker, who once operated a local junior team by that name.

“I had a very good conversation with him and his attorney,” Garfield said. “I feel very confident the Gems name will stay here.”

The Gems’ schedule on the ice will not be interrupted by the change. Dayton hosts the Fort Wayne Komets on Saturday and the Port Huron Icehawks on Sunday, before heading out on the road next Friday, Dec. 11, for the team’s first meeting with the Quad City Mallards.

Next games

Fort Wayne at Gems, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Port Huron at Gems, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Komets coming

The renewed Gems kick off their two-game home stand against the Fort Wayne Komets tonight. Dayton’s hung with the two-time defending Turner Cup champions this season but have yet to beat them, losing both meetings in overtime.

“We’re learning,” said Marks. “Fort Wayne’s a team that knows how to win. They’ve proven that.”

Marks said the Komets feast on mistakes so he’s expecting a smart effort from his players.

“We need to play a perfect game,” he said. “We know they can be beat.”

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