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Pro hockey returns to Hara tonight

Photos: 2009 Dayton Gems hockey

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By David DiCenzo, Staff Writer Updated 4:03 AM Thursday, October 8, 2009

TROTWOOD — Richard Bruner had an experience the other day that revealed just how close his Dayton Gems were to dropping the puck on their inaugural season.

The Gems’ president/general manager was overcome with emotion when he finally got a glimpse of his team’s colors.

“I was talking to someone and I turned around and saw Ryan (vice president Ryan Yerrick) wearing one of the jerseys,” Bruner said. “It was surreal. I thought, 'That’s our team.’ ”

Bruner said the home whites, which feature the Gems logo on the chest, a gold starburst overlay, navy sleeves and diamonds on the shoulders, will officially be unveiled on Oct. 16, opening night of the regular season.

When Dayton takes the ice tonight in an exhibition matchup with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, the players probably will don their blue practice jerseys. But that doesn’t diminish the importance of the game from both an organizational and hockey standpoint.

It will be the first professional hockey game played in Hara Arena in seven years.

“We’re all extremely excited and extremely anxious,” Bruner said. “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, with all of the things we’ve been planning for months coming to fruition.

“We’re still not done.”

Bruner said Hara still needs some finishing touches. And so do the Gems.

After getting started in Fort Wayne on Wednesday night, head coach John Marks wants tonight’s lineup to concentrate on simple defensive zone, transition and forechecking principles.

“To take 20 guys and throw them on the ice without any direction whatsoever, then you’re just going to have a cluster,” Marks said. “You’ll end up with what I call a 'turn offense’ — 'It’s your turn, now it’s my turn, he’s got the puck so it’s his turn.’

“We just want to try and work on a couple of basics. Then it’s a matter of effort. Show me that you want to be here.”

Whatever the result, the night will be particularly memorable for Bruner, who turned 38 today.

“Just the game in itself is going to be nice,” he said.

Fresh faces

Dayton added some potential impact players to the training camp roster this week. Defenseman Bryan Nathe, a native of Elk River, Minn., comes with an impressive pedigree that includes time with the U.S. National Under-18s and U.S. Junior National team.

Forward Michael Vaskivuo, who was born in Finland but grew up in Florida, played with Hokki Kajaani last season.

Russian teenager Daniil Tarasov, who is eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, is considered a solid European prospect by NHL Central Scouting.