Greg Labenski wasn’t ready to hang up his skates. Now he doesn’t have to.
The former Dayton Bombers captain signed a two-year contract with the Dayton Gems on Monday. The veteran defenseman is the first player signed by the International Hockey League expansion team.
“When the Bombers folded, it wasn’t like I was all depressed or anything, but I was disappointed,” Labenski said. “I felt like I had a year or two left in the tank and I also wanted another chance to win a championship.”
Labenski won a championship with the UHL’s Kalamazoo Wings in 2006 and advanced to the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals with the Bombers in 2007. The 2008-09 season was the first time in Labenski’s pro career that his team did not advance to the playoffs.
“Winning a championship is such a great feeling; once you’ve had it, you always want it again,” he said. “I didn’t bring a championship to Dayton with the Bombers, but now I have another chance.”
The Ontario native, who has called Fairborn home for several years, will start his 12th pro season when the puck drops at Hara Arena in October. At 31, he is used to being the “old guy” on the team, but he’s hopeful that someone else has that honor on the Gems squad.
“When I played in this league, when it was the UHL, there were several guys in their 30s,” Labenski said with a smile. “It would be nice to give someone else a hard time for a change.”
Labenski contemplated playing for the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones but wasn’t excited about the commute. He thought about going back to school as he has already taken a few firefighting classes and is interested in transitioning from ice to fire as a possible post-hockey career. Then the Gems came to town.
“This is definitely exciting because I get to continue doing what I love and I don’t have to be away from my family,” Labenski said, who keeps busy with 5-month-old twin daughters Morgan and Madylin.
“I haven’t been working out a whole lot, but chasing around two little babies keeps me busy,” he said. “Running up and down the stairs every time you hear a cry, that’s been a workout.”
Labenski is happy to be returning to the ice and is hopeful that he will get to be No. 27, a number he wore with the Bombers. The number holds special meaning as his daughters were born on Jan. 27.
