June 13, 2002
The Continental Elite Hockey League (CEHL) is pleased to announce the addition of the Dayton Gems Junior A hockey team for the upcoming, 2002/2003 hockey season.
Jeff Walker, owner of the new franchise, announced that Mr. Aaron Ellis is the inaugural coach for the Gems Junior A Hockey team. Mr. Walker also mentioned that Coach Ellis is a former draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche and the only goaltender from the state of Indiana to ever be drafted into the NHL. He further mentions that Coach Ellis's background fits right in with the Gems plans to help local kids move on to higher levels of hockey.
The Walker family has a long history with ice hockey in Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Walker's father owned and founded the Dayton Gems of the IHL in the early 60's. In the 90's, Jeff Walker built the Sportstown Skating Center and founded the Dayton Gems Hockey Club, highlighted by the only AAA Tier I program in Southern Ohio. The Gems Junior A Club is the first Junior A hockey franchise ever in Southern Ohio.
A formal press conference will be scheduled at the Sportstown Skating Center in Dayton, Ohio, the home of the Gems Junior A Hockey Team for a future date. Tryouts for the club will be held July 12 - 14, 2002 in Dayton. For team and registration information please contact Coach Ellis at (317)501-0042 or team owner, Jeff Walker, at (937)885-GEM4, email jeff.walker@daytongemshockey.com.