Dayton Gems

The Gems were an expansion team assembled from various cast-offs and young players looking for their first break in minor league hockey.

Dayton was the host for several IHL all-star games due to the large attendance in their 5,500 seat arena.

[citation needed] The Gems played exhibition games against the US Olympic team as well as the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League.

[citation needed] The Dayton Gems were the first adult team in North America to make helmets mandatory, long before the NHL adopted them.

The 1970s downturn in the economy, especially the auto industry, reduced disposable income in the community and negatively impacted attendance.