The hockey club’s statement alleges a lack of commitment from players and a failure to field a competitive roster as factors in the decision.
TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo Mobsters Hockey Club ceased league play for the remainder of the season effective Monday and put its franchise up for sale, with a harsh statement from the team’s ownership wholly blaming a lack of commitment from the team, failed attempts to gather a competitive roster and a majority vote from players to not compete under an interim coaching staff as factors in the decision.
The statement alleges team culture consisted of carelessness and disrespect from players toward the organization, culminating in a forfeit in Saturday’s scheduled game against the West Michigan Sentinels. It says that Head Coach Kyle Gretzinger failed to field a competitive team for the game in Cedar Springs, Michigan, adding to other factors that led to owners firing him and an unspecified number of other players.
Remaining players were then offered the opportunity to continue the season under interim Head Coach Dustin Kain, alongside operations director JR Bracci, but they declined to by majority vote and owners folded the team indefinitely, according to the statement.
WTOL 11 has reached out Gretzinger and Kain for comment. Gretzinger told WTOL 11 that he and other players will release a statement.
“It is with great disappointment that Toledo’s coaching staff was unable to field a competitive team against the West Michigan Sentinels on Saturday at Cedar Rock,” team owners said in the statement. “Throughout the season, several players repeatedly demonstrated a lack of commitment to the organization, including failure to attend scheduled practices, absence from community fundraising events, and a disrespectful culture toward ownership and management. Additionally, some players were unwilling to continue competing after management made necessary player and staffing changes following this weekend’s forfeit.”
The Mobsters were one of the founding teams of the semi-pro American Premier Hockey League in 2023, competing against a few Michigan teams and the Summit City Distillers out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The statement says Mobsters ownership want the team to resume play next season.
“Looking ahead, the Toledo franchise territory will be made available for sale. New ownership applications will be accepted for the 2026-27 APHL season,” owners said.
The owners also said the team’s original mission still remains.
“On behalf of the Club, we would like to thank our coaching staff, game-day staff, volunteers, fans, sponsors, The Team Toledo Ice House, and the APHL,” ownership said. “The Toledo Mobsters were created to give players ages 18 and over an opportunity to continue playing competitive hockey after high school, juniors, college, and in some cases minor professional hockey. Too often, talented players have no option beyond recreational adult leagues, limiting their ability to develop, advance, or simply continue playing the game they love at a high level.”
The organization noted that the team was built on passion rather than revenue, and expressed disappointment that the team culture did not reflect respect for the opportunity, accountability, or appreciation for those who remained committed—particularly players who consistently traveled, practiced and supported the organization.”