Today the Dayton Bombers ECHL membership was relinquished to the league's board of directors by Bombers president Costa Papista, thus ending nearly two decades of sports history in the Miami Valley. As part of the announcement this afternoon, Papista offered this parting message to fans and supporters:

Dear loyal fans and supporters, Close to two decades of professional hockey…two Kelly Cup championship appearances…and 13 playoff appearances, not to mention countless memories – I am sad to report that a rich piece of Miami Valley hockey history is coming to an end. Regretfully, I have turned the ECHL’s Dayton Bombers membership back to the league at the annual Board of Governors meeting this morning. I have been unable to secure a new majority owner for the team. I want to personally thank you for your unwavering support. Each of you - our loyal season ticketholders, sponsors, those of you who made season ticket pledges for the re-entry plan, local media and prospective minority investors - has made a difference in the team's successful 18-year tenure. While I am disappointed with our current circumstance, today's decision is one that will allow the ECHL to move on with planning and scheduling and remain the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. It is my hope that “AA” caliber hockey and the ECHL will return to the area soon. I truly believe that a downtown arena is the key to generating increased community support for professional hockey and ice based recreation at all levels. I hope that the feasibility study being led by Dr. Mike Ervin, University of Dayton athletic director Tim Wabler and Ed Bentley, of Deloitte & Touche, will confirm that belief. And I am happy to know that during the coming year, fans will be able to get their hockey fix by supporting the new junior A Troy Bruins at Troy’s historic Hobart Arena as well as the new IHL’s Dayton Gems at Hara Arena. Any effort to promote this great sport in our community is good news. It has been a joy to be a part of professional hockey in Dayton: the championship run in 2007, watching former Bombers achieve their goals of reaching the “AAA” level and even the NHL. But more importantly, I have seen the impact of being good community partners. During the past five years, we have had the opportunity to work with many important community groups that are making a difference in the region. From our volunteer work and charitable efforts, we have learned how effective the Dayton community can be when we are all working together. On a personal note, I am extremely grateful to all of you for welcoming me into your community. The Dayton region has been my home for the past five years and I have made many close friends. While the Bombers will no longer be in town, I will continue to maintain ties here. I look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely, Costa Papista

Cincinnati Dockers Australian Football Team Renews Historic Rivalry Against Nashville Kangaroos

FAIRFIELD, OHIO - The Cincinnati Dockers Australian Rules Football Club continue their 13th consecutive season on Saturday, June 20th when they challenge their historic rivals, the Nashville Kangaroos, at Champions Park on River Road in Louisville, Kentucky, in their next Mid American Australian Football League (MAAFL) match.  The match is scheduled to begin at 2 PM.

The rivalry between Cincinnati and Nashville is one of the oldest in the United States, with the first match between the two clubs taking place in 1997.  The two sides have played each other annually since then.  Last season, the Kangaroos were in a tight race for the MAAFL Championship, finishing only one game behind the champions, Chicago United, and the Milwaukee Bombers.

In the Dockers' last match on May 16th, they fell to Chicago in Cincinnati.  Nashville then challenged the same Chicago team two weeks later in the Windy City, losing a tight contest, 73-59.  Both teams are currently looking for their first win in the MAAFL's Championship Division.  After this match, the Dockers will next travel to Columbus on July 11th for a 3-team round-robin with the Columbus Jackaroos and the Milwaukee Bombers.

The Cincinnati Dockers are an Australian Rules Football club based out of Fairfield, Ohio. Established in 1996, they are the oldest club of its kind in the United States. Last year, the Dockers were co-winners of the USAFL division 4 national championship. For more information about the Dockers please visit their website at www.cincinnatidockers.com. To contact the Dockers, please send an e-mail to dockers@cincinnatidockers.com.

Note: The Cincinnati Dockers combine with the Louisville Kings for all 2009 MAAFL games.

Troy, OH – The Troy Bruins hockey team is proud to announce that they will partner with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets to present the Blue Jackets Breakaway event at the 2009 Troy Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 6 from Noon to 6 pm between Hobart Arena and the levy.

The Blue Jackets Breakaway traveling hockey promotional event hosted by the CBJ returns to Troy’s Strawberry Festival this year, in what has become an annual tradition. The Bruins, in their first community appearance since announcing the team last week, will be showcased with help from the Blue Jackets to the northern Miami Valley, giving them their first close look at the new hockey team.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to join forces with Ohio’s only National Hockey League franchise to promote the game of hockey, as well as give the community it’s first glimpse at what is coming this fall” noted Bruins VP of Communication & Broadcasting JT Szabo. No stranger to the Blue Jackets organization, Szabo spent a season as the broadcast voice of the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets of the USHL in 2006-2007, and maintains a positive relationship to a number of Jackets front office staff, including those overseeing the Breakaway event.

The breakaway event will take place on Saturday, June 6 from Noon till 6pm in the Hobart Arena parking lot next to the levy, and will include street hockey games, music, Blue Jackets and Bruins information and handouts, as well as a raffle for the very first Troy Bruins logoed jersey.

For more information, visit the Bruins on the web at www.TroyBruins.com.