Saginaw Gears (UHL)
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- This article refers to the Saginaw Gears of the UHL. For the Saginaw Gears of the IHL, see Saginaw Gears (IHL).
The Saginaw Gears were a minor-league ice hockey franchise that played in the United Hockey League (UHL). The Gears existed from 1998 to December 19, 1999. On December 20, 1999, the team left Saginaw, Michigan in the middle of the night and moved to Massillon, Ohio to finish the season as the Ohio Gears. The franchise now exists as the Roanoke Valley Vipers. Before becoming the Gears, the team was also known as the LumberKings (1997-1998) and the Wheels (1995-1997). The team took their name from the Saginaw Gears (IHL) as part of a marketing plan by then owner, Dr. Khaled M. Shukairy, as an attempt boost poor attendance after two horrible seasons as the LumberKings. The Gears played their home games at Wendler Arena in the Saginaw Civic Center (now known as The Dow Event Center) in downtown Saginaw.