When the World Hockey Association merged with the NHL after the 1978/79 season, the original Stingers were not part of it. Instead, Stingers ownership chose to take a buy-out fee. When the first Stingers ultimatly folded, the minor league circuit Central Hockey League placed a team in Cincinnati for the 1979/80 season. The minor league team was named after the WHA club that folded the previous season. Taking on the team colors, logos, ect. The uniforms would remain the same as the WHA club with the exception of the color white being added as the predominant jersey color.

The CHL Stingers played at Riverfront Coliseum and became a secondary affiliate to the Quebec Nordiques (Avalanche ), Hartford Whalers (Hurricanes), Winnipeg Jest (Coyotes) and Edmonton Oilers. All four clubs being former WHA teams.

Since the WHA Stingers were not part of the league merger, the agreement became that any former WHA Stingers players not making the roster of Quebec, Winnipeg, Hartford & Edmonton would then be sent to the new CHL Stingers if they were not in the NHL teams group of first call-ups. This arrangement is what brought former WHA Stingers Dave Debol and Byron Shutt back to Cincinnati. Each former WHA team also had to send the CHL Stingers a minimum of four players. Making the CHL Stingers responsible for filling out any remaining roster spots.

The CHL Stingers GM was Ron Ryan, who later worked with the Philadelphia Flyers. He brought on former Detroit Red Wings player Al Karlander to be the CHL Stingers bench boss. Along with former WHA Stingers Bryon Shutt & center Dave Debol, Karlander's club had several other familiar WHA Stingers faces on the ice. The new club also acquired left wing Paul Stewart & goalie Normand LaPointe.

Despite the CHL club having similar jerseys, the same team nickname, playing in the same facility and having several WHA Stingers players from the past team, fans were did not respond to the CHL Stingers. Cincinnati hockey fans in previous years had hopes of the WHA team merging into the NHL. When it didn't happen, the minor league Stingers were not an attractive option.

The CHL Stingers only lasted 33 games and folded on December 18th 1979. Left wing Paul Stewart decided to have the CHL Stingers go out with a bang on the teams final night. He proceeded to get in three fights during that final game. The club posting a final record of 11-21-1 with 23 points. Dave Debol went on to play for the Cincinnati Tigers a few years later.