Despite the return of the Dayton Gems to the local hockey community, it was business as usual at the Dayton Bombers office Wednesday, June 10.
“Our plan has not changed one iota,” Bombers owner Costa Papista said. “We’re forging ahead with our re-entry plan.
“Does this muddy the hockey waters a little bit? Yes, a little bit, but it doesn’t derail our plan.”
Papista announced in late March the team would not play during the 2009-10 season, but plans to return to the ice for the 2010-11 season “bigger, better and stronger” as an organization. The Bombers staff has been securing season-ticket pledges, sponsor commitments and minority investment units in anticipation of the team’s return.
Papista has focused much of his attention on acquiring a controlling-interest partner. Time is ticking, as Papista must present his re-entry plan to the ECHL Board of Governors on June 25.
“I’ve made some compelling presentations and I’m waiting for answers, but I am optimistic,” he said. “The ECHL has an 18-year tradition in the Miami Valley and I know the team has been a good community partner because people have been so favorable and positive.”
Papista also is realistic.
“I think we will lose some fans to the Gems but, in the rebuilding process, we’ll gain a lot of new support and a lot of Bombers fans will be loyal and come back if there are two teams standing in 2010,” he said.
Much of Papista’s confidence is entrenched in the ECHL. The league will open its 22nd season this fall, making it the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the NHL and AHL.
“The ECHL is, hands down, the best AA hockey league in North America,” he said. “And it’s a breeding ground for the best hockey talent in the country.”
The ECHL has affiliations with 24 NHL teams and has had more than 400 former players move into the NHL ranks. There were 43 former ECHL players and 14 former coaches on the rosters of NHL playoff teams this season.
Beyond the Bombers’ return, Papista also remains committed to the need for a new centrally located arena.
“The arena piece is going to be very important to the long-term viability of a hockey franchise here, and you don’t have to look past the Dragons to see how much impact a first-rate facility has,” he said.
