Dayton Gems Hockey Team Scrapbooks

The Dayton GEMS organization began as a new team in the already formed IHL (International Hockey League) in 1964. "Lefty" McFadden began the financial base for the team, acquiring the franchise for Dayton in 1964. With the selection of Warren Back as player-coach and the acquisition of other players, the new team was formed. "Lefty" McFadden also served as the general manager for the hockey team. He was often instrumental in getting support for his team by sponsoring special activities for games and even writing newspaper articles. Among Dayton's great individual players was a former Olympian and others who had played at various levels of professional and amateur hockey during their sports careers.

Although scheduled to play during 1964-65 at the new Wampler's Arena, the GEMS began their regular season at Hara Arena due to a gas explosion which wrecked Wampler's on October 9, 1964. IHL teams included Fort Wayne Komets, Muskegon Zephyrs, Toledo Blades, Des Moines Oakleafs, Port Huron Flags, and Dayton GEMS. Games were televised in 1965-66 and Muskegon changed their name from Zephyrs to Mohawks. The league expanded to include the Columbus Checkers for 1966-67. That year was said to be a good one for rookies on the Dayton team. Dayton played teams outside the league in 1967-68. The Port Huron Flags became the Wings and the Columbus team was called the Golden Seals in 1971-72.

Big plans were in the offering for the new ten-team WHA (World Hockey Association) for the 1972-73 season. This prompted a proposal for a new 14,000 seat arena to replace the old one. According to one study, 70 to 80% of those surveyed favored a new ice arena in Dayton. Although the plans did not materialize, there was a new team added to the league that year, the Saginaw Gears.

Toledo Blades became the Goldiggers for the 1974-75 season. By then the league had been reorganized into two divisions. Kalamazoo put a new team on ice in 1975-76 (Wings). The Dayton GEMS hockey team played their last season in 1976-77. After a slow finish, Dayton GEMS made the Turner Cup finals time and again. With personnel changes among players and coaches over the years, the Dayton Club consistently finished near the top in the IHL.