RU-38's hockey section was promoted to the top-level SM-sarja after a second place finish in the Suomi-sarja in 1964. After qualifying for the SM-sarja, RU-38 went about upgrading their roster, buying players from neighboring teams with the club's manufacturing money. This was one of the first steps toward professionalism which eventually led to the league's demise in 1975. RU-38 merged with Porin Karhut to form Ässät Pori in 1967.