Central Hockey League, released additional details for the upcoming first annual
“Salute To Beer League Hockey Night” presented by Heidelberg Distributing and
set for Saturday, January 7 inside the historic Hara Arena.
After being selected over the summer in a special online fan
poll which received well over 5,000 votes, nine players from San Antonio, Texas
based RUT Hockey will be making the trip to Dayton for the salute to Beer League
Hockey on the 7th when the Gems will wear replica jerseys of Rut
Hockey’s fan-favorite “camouflaged” design. The very unique jerseys and socks
feature a hunting theme complete with a woodsman camouflage pattern accented
with bright orange stripes.
For the fans, select $2 Beer Specials will also be on sale
throughout the night at the various Hara concession stands, while the first 500
fans 18+ through the gates beginning at 6pm will receive a limited edition
Dayton Gems pint glass.
The RUT Hockey team will participate in a shootout at first
intermission versus MegaCity Hockey, Dayton’s Beer League Hockey team that plays
weekly at Hara Arena. The RUT Hockey team members will also get a
Gems VIP Experience, with an opportunity to sit on the Gems bench during
warmups, a chance to meet Head Coach Brian Gratz and Gems players, and a
postgame party provided by the Gems.
As part of the event, the Gems have partnered with RUT Hockey
to host a special online auction of the game worn Gems camo jerseys on the
following week, with proceeds going to RUT’s chosen charity, the Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society in honor of a fallen teammate.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest
voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and
providing education and patient services. Founded in 1949, they are relentless
in pursuit of their mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and
myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
This summer Clayton Rutan, a good friend and fan of Rut
Hockey, lost his 7 year battle with leukemia. At the young age of
36 he was survived by his wife Jessica and two kids. Clayton was
born and raised in Willet NY as an avid outdoorsman who had a deep appreciation
for the land, and its wildlife. He and his family were challenged
daily from the ups and downs of his health condition and the constant trips from
central NY to Buffalo. Clayton was treated primarily at the
Roswell Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. Parts of Clayton’s
treatments and stays at Roswell were documented by the facility.
His interviews were sent to the Sundance Film Festival and were selected
to be part of the 2011 film “Life In A Day”. Through Clayton’s 7 year battle he
never complained once about pain or the restrictions that the disease and
treatments put on him. Instead he focused on getting better and
spent as much time with his family as possible.
On dedicating their proceeds to charity, RUT Hockey stated
“Clayton “Fudd” Rutan is a hero and warrior in our eyes and Rut Hockey would
like to donate our portion of the proceeds to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,
via Shoot for a Cure, in his name and honor.”
Advance tickets and group discounts to “Salute To Beer League
Hockey Night” on Saturday, January 7 are on sale now by calling the Gems ticket
office at 275-7777 or by visiting www.DaytonGems.com.
The Gems return home on Thursday night, December 29 to host
the Bloomington Blaze on Cassano’s Italian Ice inside Hara Arena at 7pm. It’s
another “Thirsty Thursday” featuring select $1 drafts with the first 500 fans
through the gates receiving a limited edition Gems player stadium cup. Tickets
are now available by calling the Gems ticket office at 275-7777 or by
visiting www.DaytonGems.com. Discounted tickets are also available for
groups of ten or more, and include special group perks.