Greater Dayton Youth Hockey League (GDYHL): History
History of the GDYHL
(November 2001)
The following is a brief history of the Greater Dayton Youth Hockey League.
In the fall of 1998, the youth hockey organizations (Dayton Gems and Dayton Bombers) both had a house program for the mite (ages 6-8) division. However, each organization only had three teams each. At the time, both leagues played games only within their own organization. In an effort to diversify the competition, inter-organizational schedules were created. Each house team played 2 games of their season against the other organization. The positive feedback from players/coaches/parents created the urge to form a house league in Dayton that would include both the Gems and the Bombers.
Midway through the fall 1998 season, representatives from the Bombers and Gems discussed the possibility of forming the Greater Dayton Youth Hockey League (GDYHL). The discussions included drafting a set of by-laws and Operating Procedures that were loosely based on a similar set of house league rules used by a Columbus, Ohio league. Both organizations decided to try the inter-organizational schedules during the spring of 1999. Although this was not a house league and it was loosely based on the draft of by-laws, it did provide a set of rules for play between the two organizations. The spring season was able to raise many issues that the by-laws and Operating Procedures needed to address. Following the spring 1999 season, both organizations decided to press on with the GDYHL and dedicate the GDYHL as a Fall-only house league.
A more formal set of by-laws and Operating Procedures were approved by both organizations. These were used to form the GDYHL for the fall 1999-2000 season. The GDYHL contained teams at both the squirt (5 teams) and mite (7 teams) divisions. Although the GDYHL Board was not set up per the by-laws, a couple of representatives from each organization were able to operate the league with only a few small issues that needed to be addressed by future versions of the Operating Procedures.
The Operating Procedures specifies that a team Stanley Cup-Type trophy be awarded to the winner of each division. These cups would contain a nameplate containing the names of players/coaches/sponsors for each team that wins the cup. Each year a new nameplate would be added to the cup. Thus, ten years later the cups would contain ten team nameplates (similar to the Stanley Cup). The mite (Hackney Cup) and squirt (Hudock Cup) were donated to the GDYHL. The Hackney Cup was donated by Lisa and Alan Denny and was named in memory of Alans mother (maiden name). The Hudock Cup was donated by Margie and Brad Pinnell and named in memory of Margies father (Ronald Hudock).
Following the fall 1999-2000 season, the by-laws and Operating Procedures were edited again to accommodate any issues that occurred during the previous season. The GDYHL again expanded for the fall 2000-2001 season by adding the Peewee division with 4 teams. A full board was also formed with three representatives from both the Gems & Bombers Organizations. The peewee division was the only division to agree to a year-end tournament (allowed in the Operating Procedures). The winner of the tournament was presented the KitchenAid Classic Cup which was donated by Whirlpool Corporations KitchenAid Division. They had also donated the tops for the other two division tournament team winners. These trophies are styled to hopefully represent the original start of the Stanley Cup. With the addition of these trophies, the original trophies along with the peewee (MacEachern Cup) will be presented to the regular season division winners. Annette and Don MacEachern donated the MacEachern Cup in memory of Dons father (Leo MacEachern).
For the fall 2001-2002 season, the league has again expanded by allowing two other local organizations (Troy and Butler County) into the league.
When the GDYHL was initially discussed, it was intended to allow kids that wanted to play hockey, but did not want to be involved with a travel program, that opportunity to play against the local area teams. The league has always and will continue to stress teaching fundamentals, having fun, and good sportsmanship. Generally speaking, the GDYHL has been a positive impact on the Dayton-area hockey community. The GDYHL can only operate if it continues to draw volunteers to help with the league. Without the volunteers, the league will not function and thus the time and commitment that the original representatives put forth will have been wasted. In other words, please become involved in the league and help it grow!
Written By
Brad Pinnell
One of the original founding representatives.
1999-2000 Standings
Squirts
Bombers Red 11-0-1
Bombers White 9-2-1
Gems White 5-7-0
Gems Grey 2-9-1
Gems Black 1-10-1
Mites
Bombers Red 11-1-0
Gems White 10-2-0
Gems Black 6-5-1
Bombers White 6-6-0
Bombers Blue 5-7-0
Bombers Gold 3-8-1
Gems Grey 0-12-0
Mite - Hackney Cup
Squirt - Hudock Cup
1998-1999: Bombers Blue vs Gems Black
1999-2000: Squirt Champions (Bombers Red)
1999-2000 Mite Champions (Bombers Red)
Congrats to the 2002-2003 Regular Season League Champs!
The 2002-2003 Greater Dayton Youth Hockey League regular season is now in the books. Congratulations to our new reigning champions! The winner of the league's PeeWee Division was the Gems Black. The Gems Black finished the season 10-2-0.
The winner of the league's Squirt Division was Troy Red. They finished with a record of 11-0-1.
The winner of the league's Mite Division was Butler County Red who finished a perfect 12-0-0. Our hats off to these teams for their successful season.
2002-2003 GDYHL Tournament Results
The 2002-2003 GDYHL Tournament is now complete. The Gems Black won championship for the Peewee Division. The ...
Congratulations 2002-2003 GDYHL Tournament Champs
GDYHL Champions
| GDYHL Champions | ||
| Mite | ||
| Year | Regular Season | Tournament |
| Hackney Cup | KitchenAid Classic Cup | |
| 1999-2000 | Bombers Red 11-1-0 A. Denny | Bombers Red A. Denny |
| 2000-2001 | Bombers Red J. Lopresti | |
| 2001-2002 | Butler Co. Red C. Johnson | Butler Co. Red C.Johnson |
| 2002-2003 | Butler Co. Red 12-0-0 D. Sens | Butler Co. Red D. Sens |
| 2003-2004 | Bombers 1 10-1-1 M. Szturm | Troy Bruins L. Walters |
| 2004-2005 | Bombers 3 T. Conroy | Troy Bruins 1 B. Clawson |
| 2005-2006 | Bombers 3 8-4-0 B. Kiplinger | Troy Black T. Smith |
| 2006-2007 | Bombers 1 10-1-1 M. Maletic | Bombers 1 M. Maletic |
| 2007-2008 | Blue Hawks 10-1-1 V. Crum | Blue Hawks V. Crum |
| Squirt | ||
| Year | Regular Season | Tournament |
| Hudock Cup | KitchenAid Classic Cup | |
| 1999-2000 | Bombers Red 11-0-1 | Bombers Red |
| 2000-2001 | ||
| 2001-2002 | Bombers White K. Johnson | |
| 2002-2003 | Troy Sabres Red 11-0-1 | Troy Sabres Red T. Sander |
| 2003-2004 | Troy Sabres Gold B. Ginsburg | |
| 2004-2005 | Springboro K. Berry | Bombers 1 J. Fowler |
| 2005-2006 | Troy Bruins 10-2-0 L. Walters | Troy Bruins L. Walters |
| 2006-2007 | Bombers 1 - Blue 11-1-0 M. Szturm | Bombers 1 - Blue M. Szturm |
| 2007-2008 | Springboro 12-0-0 B. Kiplinger | Springboro B. Kiplinger |
| Peewee | ||
| Year | Regular Season | Tournament |
| MacEachern Cup | KitchenAid Classic Cup | |
| 2000-2001 | Bombers Red W. Peters | Gems Black |
| 2001-2002 | Troy Bruins J. Pickering | Troy Bruins J. Pickering |
| 2002-2003 | Gems Black 10-2-0 J. Boone | Gems Black J. Boone |
| 2003-2004 | Gems White A. Collett | Gems White A. Collett |
| 2004-2005 | Troy Bruins | Bombers 2 - Blue K. McCain |
| 2005-2006 | Troy Bruins 8-4-0 G. Sears | Troy Bruins G. Sears |
| 2006-2007 | Springboro White 11-1-0 T. Conroy | Springboro White T. Conroy |
| 2007-2008 | Bombers 2 9-2-1 J. Bayer | Troy L. Walters |
